Anti-CD40 antibody having engineered Fc domains and therapeutic uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides CD40-binding molecules comprising engineered human IgG domains, for example, human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 variants having mutations in the hinge domain, which exhibit altered binding activity to one or more Fcγ receptors. Also described herein are methods for selectively activating or inhibiting immune responses in a subject using the CD40-binding molecules.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2019/001135, filed Sep. 27, 2019, which claims the benefit of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2018/108285, filed on Sep. 28, 2018, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The application contains a Sequence Listing that has been filed electronically in the form of a text file, created Mar. 17, 2021, and named “112238-0066-70004US00_SEQ.TXT” (381,000 bytes), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) is an antigen-presenting cell (APC) costimulatory protein required for APC activation. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily and is essential for various immune and inflammatory responses, including T cell-dependent immunoglobulin class switching, memory B cell development, and germinal center formation. Additionally, CD40 is found on the surface of tumor cells, such as B-lymphomas and about 70% of all solid tumors. Its activation has been shown to reverse tolerance to tumor-specific antigens, leading to antigen-specific antitumor immunity.

Fc receptors (FcR) are a family of immune cell surface proteins capable of binding to the Fc portion of antibodies. There are several different types of Fc receptors, including Fcγ receptors, Fcα receptors, Fcε receptors, and neonatal Fc receptors (FcRn), which have different binding activities to IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgG antibodies, respectively. The Fcγ receptor subfamily includes FcγRI (CD64), FcγRIIA (CD32a), FcγRIIB (CD32b), FcγRIIB (CD32c), FcγRIIIA (CD16a), and FcγRIIIB (CD16b). FcγRI has high binding affinity to IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies, while the other FcγRs have low binding affinity to IgG antibodies.

Different types of Fc receptors play different roles in the immune system. For example, FcγRIII receptors, expressed on NK cells and macrophages, bind to antibodies that are attached to infected cells or invading pathogens and trigger antibody-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of the immune cells, thereby leading to elimination of the infected cells or invading pathogens. On the other hand, FcγRIIB receptors, expressed on B cells and dendritic cells, can down regulate the activity of the immune cells when binding to IgG antibodies.

Therapies involving activated immune cells are promising approaches for eliminating diseased cells such as cancer cells. However, such therapeutic approaches often raise safety concerns. For example, overly activated immune cells would lead to undesired cytotoxicity, causing tissue damage. It is therefore of great interest to develop new immune therapies that are effective and safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is based, at least in part, on the design of CD40-binding molecules (e.g., CD40 agonists or CD40 antagonists) comprising an engineered (variant) Fc region (e.g., an engineered Fc region of IgG1, IgG2, or IgG4 molecules) that exhibit desired hinge flexibility and preferred Fc receptor binding activity and/or selectivity, e.g., enhanced binding affinity and/or selected to FcγRIIB or substantially reduced binding affinity to one or more FcγR receptors. Such CD40-binding molecules can be used for modulating immune responses (e.g., selectively enhancing or selectively inhibiting an immune response) in subject in need of the treatment.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a CD40-binding molecule (e.g., a CD40 agonist or a CD40 antagonist) comprising a CD40 binding moiety and an antibody heavy chain constant region comprising an engineered Fc region, which comprises at least one mutation at any of positions 220-331, for example, any of positions 228-329, as compared to the wild-type Fc region counterpart. The numbering system is according to the EU index.

In some embodiments, the CD40 binding moiety is the extracellular domain of a CD40L, which may comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140. A CD40-binding molecule comprising such a CD40-binding moiety may be a CD40 agonist.

In other embodiments, the CD40 binding moiety can be an anti-CD40 antibody fragment. In one embodiment, the anti-CD40 antibody fragment comprises a heavy chain that comprises a heavy chain variable region, which is linked to any of the engineered Fc regions described herein, and a light chain that comprises a light chain variable region, and a light chain constant region.

In some instances, the variant Fc region may have an enhanced binding affinity and/or selectivity to FcγRIIB relative to the wild-type counterpart. In other instances, the variant Fc region may have substantially reduced binding affinity to one or more FcγR receptors. In some examples, the variant Fc region has low or no binding activity to all FcγR receptors.

In some embodiments, the CD40-binding molecule may comprise a variant Fc region of an IgG1 molecule (e.g., a human IgG1 molecule), which may comprise a mutation comprising one or more of the following: (a) an amino acid substitution or deletion within positions 233-238 (e.g., 234-238); (b) a substitution at position 265; (c) a substitution at position 267; (d) a substitution at position 297; (e) a substitution at position 328, a substitution at position 329; or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variant of an IgG1 molecule may comprise one or more mutations at positions 220, 226, 229, 238, 273, 327, 330, and/or 331. In one example, the mutation comprises substitutions at any of positions 233-236, a deletion at one or more of positions 236-238, or a combination thereof. For example, the substitutions at positions 233-235 may comprise E233P, L234V, L234F, L234A, L235A, and/or L235E. In one example, the mutation comprises a deletion at one or more of positions 236-238. In another example, the substitution at position 238 can be P238S, the substation at position 265 can be D265A, or a combination thereof. In yet another example, the substitution is at position 267 and is S267E. In a further example, the substitution is at position 329 and is P329G. In an additional example, the mutation may comprise a substitution at position 265, a substitution at position 297, or a combination thereof. For example, the substitution at position 265 may be D265A and the substitution at position 297 may be N297A. Further, the one or more substitutions at positions 220, 226, 229, 327, 330, and 331 can be C220S, C226S, C229S, A327G, A330S, and P331S. Exemplary variant Fc regions derived from human IgG1 may be one of G1m1, G1m2, G1m17, G1m27, G1mAA, G1mAAG, G1N297A, G1m240, and G1m40.

In other embodiments, the CD40-binding molecule may comprise an Fc region of an IgG2 molecule (e.g., a human IgG2 molecule), which may comprise a mutation comprising one or more of the following: (a) a deletion of one or more of positions 237 and 238; (b) a substitution at position 265; (b) a substitution at position 267; (c) a substitution at position 297; (d) a substitution at position 328; or a combination thereof. In some examples, the deletion is at position 237 or at both positions 237 and 238. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variant of an IgG2 molecule may comprise at least one mutation comprising a substitution at one or more of positions 233-235, 237, 238, 268, 273, 330, and 331. For example, the substitution at one or more of positions 233-235, 237, 238, 268, 273, 330, and 331 can be P233E, V234A, V234L, A235L, A235S, G237A, P238S, H268A, H268Q, V273E, A330S, and P331S. In one example, the substitution is at position 267 and is S267E. In another example, the substitution is at position 328 and is L328F. In an additional example, the mutation may comprise a substitution at position 265, a substitution as position 297, or a combination thereof. For example, the substitution at position 265 may be D265A and the substitution at position 297 may be N297A. In some particular examples, the variant Fc region derived from IgG2 can be one of G2m1, G2m17, G2m18, G2m19, G2m20, G2m27, G2m28, G2m29, G2m2040, G2m43, G2G4, G2mAA, and G2m40.

In yet other embodiments, the CD40-binding molecule may comprise an Fc region of an IgG4 molecule (e.g., a human IgG4 molecule), which may comprise (a) an amino acid residue substitution at position 228; (b) a substitution or deletion at any one positions 235-238; (c) a substitution at position 265; (d) a substitution at position 267; (e) a substitution at position 297; (e) a substitution at position 328; or a combination thereof. In one example, the substitution at position 228 is S228P. In another example, the deletion is at one or more of positions 236, 237, and 238 (e.g., at both positions 236 and 237). Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variant of an IgG4 molecule may comprise a substitution at one or more of positions 233-235, 237, and 273. For example, the substitution at one or more positions 233-235, 237, and 273 may be E233P, F234V, F234A, L235S, L235E, L235A, G237A, and V273E. In another example, the substitution at position 267 is S267E. In a further example, the substitution at position 328 is L328F. In an additional example, the mutation may comprise a substitution at position 265, a substitution at position 297, or a combination thereof. For example, the substitution at position 265 may be D265A and the substitution at position 297 may be N297A. In some particular examples, the variant Fc region is one of G4m1, G4m2, G4m20, G4m28, G4m30, G4m41, G4m42, G4m46, G4mPE, G4mAA, and G4m40.

Any of the variant Fc regions described herein may exhibit an enhanced binding activity and/or an enhanced selectivity to FcγRIIB as compared with the wild-type Fc region. Alternatively, the variant Fc regions described herein may have low or no binding activity to any of the FcγR receptors. In some instances, the variant Fc region may exhibit a decreased binding affinity to FcγRIIB. Alternatively or in addition, the variant Fc region binds FcRn.

The anti-CD40 antibody fragment in any of the CD40-binding molecules described herein may be of a human antibody or a humanized antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody is an agonist antibody. In some examples, the anti-CD40 antibody may comprise the same heavy chain complementary determining regions (HC CDRs) as those in SEQ ID NO: 128 or as those in any one of 19G6D6, 36G7B8, 13F1A7, 9F12D9, and 17C5C2, and/or the same light chain complementary determining regions (LC CDRs) as those in SEQ ID NO: 129 or those in any one of 19G6D6, 36G7B8, 13F1A7, 9F12D9, and 17C5C2. In one example, the antibody fragment may comprise a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 128 and/or a light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 129. In other examples, the antibody fragment may comprise the same heavy chain variable region and/or the same light chain variable region as one of 19G6D6, 36G7B8, 13F1A7, 9F12D9, and 17C5C2.

Additionally, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition, comprising any of the CD40-binding molecules described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such a pharmaceutical composition may be used to selectively modulate (e.g., selectively activate or selectively inhibit) an immune response in a subject.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for selectively modulating (e.g., selectively activating or selectively inhibiting) an immune response in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a CD40-binding molecule as described herein.

In any of the methods described herein, the subject can be a human patient having or suspected of having a cancer and the CD40-binding molecule may be a CD40 agonist. Exemplary cancers include lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, sarcoma, bone cancer, lymphoma and a hematological cancer.

Alternatively, the subject can be a human patient having or suspected of having an immune-related disorder and the CD40-binding molecule may be a CD40 antagonist. Exemplary immune disorders include autoimmune diseases, immune-deficiencies, or allergies. In some embodiments, the target disease for treatment is an autoimmune disease.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated anti-CD40 antibody, which binds to the same epitope of CD40 as a reference antibody selected from the group consisting of: 19G6D6, 36G7B8, 13F1A7, 9F12D9, and 17C5C2 or competes against the reference antibody from binding to the epitope.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain complementary determining region 1 (CDR1), a heavy chain complementary determining region 2 (CDR2), and a heavy chain complementary determining region 3 (CDR3), which collectively are at least 85% identical to the respective heavy chain CDRs of the reference antibody; and/or wherein the antibody comprises a light chain CDR1, a light chain CDR2, and a light chain CDR3, which collectively are at least 85% identical to the respective light chain CDRs of the reference antibody.

In another embodiment, the heavy chain CDR1, heavy chain CDR2, and heavy chain CDR3 collectively comprise 10 or fewer amino acid mutations relative to the respective heavy chain CDRs of the reference antibody; and/or wherein the light chain CDR1, light chain CDR2, and light chain CDR3 collectively comprise 10 or fewer amino acid mutations relative to the respective light chain CDRs of the reference antibody.

In one embodiment, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region that is at least 85% identical to the heavy chain variable region of the reference antibody and/or a light chain variable region that is at least 85% identical to the light chain variable region of the reference antibody.

In some embodiments, the heavy chain variable region comprises 10 or fewer amino acid residue mutations relative to the heavy chain variable region of the reference antibody; and/or and a light chain variable region that comprises 10 or fewer amino acid mutations relative to the light chain variable region of the reference antibody.

In some examples, the anti-CD40 antibody disclosed herein may comprise the same heavy chain variable region CDRs as the reference antibody and/or the same light chain variable region CDRs as the reference antibody.

Any of the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein may be a human antibody or a humanized antibody. Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising any of the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Further, the instant disclosure features an isolated nucleic acid or set of nucleic acids which collectively encode any of the CD40 binding molecules or any of the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein. The nucleic acid or set of nucleic acids may be located on one or two vectors, for example, expression vectors. Also provided herein are host cells comprising such vector(s).

The instant disclosure also features pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the CD40-binding molecules described herein and/or one or more of the anti-CD40 antibodies disclosed herein for use in treating a target disorder as described herein, or uses of such CD40-binding molecules and/or anti-CD40 antibodies for manufacturing a medicament for use in treating the target disorder.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description below. Other features or advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of several embodiments, and also from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are charts showing binding activity of various anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated to different types of Fcγ receptors expressed on CHO-K1 cells at the various concentrations as indicated. The concentrations of each IgG variant, from left to right, are 0.1 μg/ml, 0.3 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, 3 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, and 30 μg/ml. The two rightmost bars (“2nd only” and “blank”) served as controls. FIG. 1A: binding affinity to FcγRI. FIG. 1B: binding affinity to FcγRII. FIG. 1C: binding affinity to FcγRIIB. FIG. 1D: binding affinity to FcγRIIIA.

FIG. 2 is a chart showing stimulation of human CD40 activation in a reporter assay by a number of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated by IL8 secretion. The concentrations of each IgG variant, from left to right, correspond to: 0.003 μg/ml, 0.01 μg/ml, 0.03 μg/ml, 0.1 μg/ml, 0.3 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, 3 μg/ml, and 10 μg/ml.

FIGS. 3A-3D are charts showing binding activity of a number of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated to different types of Fcγ receptors expressed on CHO-K1 cells. The concentrations of each anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variant, from left to right, are 0.3 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, 3 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, and 30 μg/ml. The two rightmost bars (“2nd only” and “blank”) served as controls. FIG. 3A: binding affinity to FcγRIIB. FIG. 3B: binding affinity to FcγRI. FIG. 3C: binding affinity to FcγRIIA. FIG. 3D: binding affinity to FcγRIIIA

FIGS. 4A-4F are charts showing stimulation of human CD40 activation indicated by IL8 secretion in a reporter assay by a number of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants in solution and/or in co-culture with FcγRIIB expressing cells. The concentrations of each IgG variant, from left to right, correspond to: 0.003 μg/ml, 0.01 μg/ml, 0.03 μg/ml, 0.1 μg/ml, 0.3 μg/ml, and 1 μg/ml. Dash line indicates baseline reporter signal in each assay. FIG. 4A: IgG variants IgG1m2, IgG2m20, IgG1m40, IgG4m40. FIG. 4B: IgG variants IgG1m240, IgG2m2040, IgG4m41, IgG4m42, IgG2m43, IgG2m44, and IgG4mAA. FIG. 4C: IgG variants IgG1 N297A, IgG2mAA, IgG2G4, IgG4mPE, and IgG1mAAG. FIG. 4D: IgG variants of IgG1m47, IgG1m48, IgG1m49, IgG1m50, and IgG1mAA. FIG. 4E: IgG variants of IgG4m46 and IgG4m30. FIG. 4F: IgG variants of IgG1m27, IgG2m19, IgG2m1, IgG4m2 and IgG4m20.

FIGS. 5A-5D include a set of bar graphs showing the activity of exemplary anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated in activation of human dendritic cells (DC) from a healthy donor by the antibodies either in solution (FIGS. 5A and 5B) or in co-culture of CHO cells expressing human FcγRIIB (FIGS. 5C and 5D). DC activation is indicated by the bar graphs signal of IL-8 in the culture supernatant.

FIGS. 6A-6B are charts showing binding activity of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated to human CD40 expressed on CHO-K1 cells. The concentrations of each IgG variant, from left to right, are 0.01 μg/ml, 0.1 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, and 10 μg/ml. The three rightmost bars (“Herceptin”, “2nd only” and “blank”) served as controls. FIG. 6A: a number of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated. FIG. 6B: a number of anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated.

FIGS. 7A-7B are charts showing tumor growth curves of various anti-CD40 antibody 383 IgG variants as indicated in a mouse tumor model. FIG. 7A: a chart showing tumor volume changes at various time points after antibody treatment in homozygous B-hCD40 C57BL6 mice. The average±SEM of tumor sizes are shown. FIG. 7B: is a chart showing serum alanine transaminase (ALT, a liver enzyme released into serum upon liver damage) level after treatment of antibodies as shown in homozygous B-hCD40 C57BL6 mice. The average±SEM of tumor sizes are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are CD40-binding molecules (e.g., CD40 agonists or CD40 antagonists) comprising a CD40 binding moiety (e.g., an extracellular domain of a CD40 ligand or an anti-CD40 antibody fragment) and an engineered (variant) Fc regions, which may have altered binding affinity and/or specificity to one or more Fc receptors, for example, enhanced binding affinity to FcγRIIB, enhanced binding specificity to FcγRIIB, and/or substantially reduced binding affinity to one or more FcγR receptors (e.g., low or no binding activity to all FcγR receptors).

Such CD40-binding molecules are expected to exhibit unexpected, superior therapeutic activity. For example, CD40-binding molecules having a variant Fc region that has enhanced binding affinity to FcγRIIB would be expected to exhibit enhanced agonistic activity and CD40-binding molecules having a variant Fc region that has enhanced binding specificity to FcγRIIB would be expected to exhibit higher tumor selectivity relative to the wild-type counterpart. Further, CD40-binding molecules having low or no binding affinity to FcγR receptors would help activate CD40-positive immune cells in tumor microenvironment and/or block CD40-positive immune cells in immune disorders.

Accordingly, described herein are approaches for designing CD40-binding molecules comprising a CD40-binding moiety and an engineered Fc region (an Fc variant) which may be of an IgG molecule (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 molecules such as human IgG1, human IgG2, and human IgG4 molecules), and uses thereof for modulating immune responses. Such an Fc variant may have enhanced binding affinity to FcγRIIB (CD32B) relative to the wild-type counterpart and/or binding selectivity as relative to other Fc receptors such as FcγRIII (CD16). Alternatively, such an Fc variant may have substantially reduced binding affinity to one or more FcγR receptors (e.g., to all FcγR receptors) relative to the wild-type counterpart. “Substantially reduced” means that the binding affinity of a Fc variant to a FcγR receptor is at least 60% lower (e.g., 70% lower, 80% lower, 90% lower, 95% lower, 98% lower, or 99% lower) than the binding affinity of the wild-type counterpart to the same FcγR receptor. In some examples, the Fc variant may have low or no binding affinity to all FcγR receptors, i.e., binding affinity cannot be detected by conventional assays or binding affinity is substantially low such that no significant bioactivity would be triggered.

I. CD40-Binding Molecules

Described herein are CD40-binding molecules that comprise a CD40-binding moiety linked to an engineered Fc region having altered binding affinity and/or specificity to one or more Fc receptors as described herein. Such CD40-binding molecules may be CD40 agonists, which are capable of triggering the signaling mediated by CD40/CD40L upon binding to cell surface CD40. Alternatively, the CD40-binding molecules described herein are CD40 antagonists, which are capable of inhibiting the signaling mediated by CD40/CD40L upon binding to cell surface CD40. The CD40-binding molecules are useful in modulating (selectively modulating) immune responses when administered to a subject in need of the treatment.

(i) CD40-Binding Moieties

A CD40-binding moiety as described herein may be any peptide or polypeptide that binds CD40, for example human CD40. CD40 is an immune cell receptor well known in the art. For example, NCBI GenBank Accession Nos. P25942.1 and AAB08705.1 provide information for human and mouse CD40, respectively. Provided below is an amino acid sequence of an exemplary human CD40 polypeptide.

Human CD40:

(SEQ ID NO: 141) MVRLPLQCVLWGCLLTAVHPEPPTACREKQYLINSQCCSLCQPGQKLVSD CTEFTETECLPCGESEFLDTWNRETHCHQHKYCDPNLGLRVQQKGTSETD TICTCEEGWHCTSEACESCVLHRSCSPGFGVKQIATGVSDTICEPCPVGF FSNVSSAFEKCHPWTSCETKDLVVQQAGTNKTDVVCGPQDRLRALVVIPI IFGILFAILLVLVFIKKVAKKPTNKAPHPKQEPQEINFPDDLPGSNTAAP VQETLHGCQPVTQEDGKESRISVQERQ

CD40 polypeptides from other species are known in the art and can be obtained from publicly available gene databases, for example, GenBank, using either the human sequence or the mouse sequence as a query.

In some embodiments, the CD40-binding moieties can be a polypeptide comprising an extracellular domain of a CD40 ligand (CD40L or CD154). CD40L is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of T cells. The molecule has been shown to stimulate B cell proliferation and the secretion of immunoglobulins in the presence of cytokines. In addition, CD40L may induce cytokine production and tumoricidal activity in peripheral blood monocytes. The sequence of CD40L and its extracellular domain are well known in the art. For example, NCBI GenBank Accession No. NP_000065.1 (extracellular domain, amino acids 47-261) provides information for human CD40L. Provided below is an amino acid sequence of an extracellular domain of an exemplary human CD40L.

Human CD40L (Extracellular Domain):

(SEQ ID NO: 140) HRRLDKIEDERNLHEDFVFMKTIQRCNTGERSLSLLNCEEIKSQFEGFVK DIMLNKEETKKENSFEMQKGDQNPQIAAHVISEASSKTTSVLQWAEKGYY TMSNNLVTLENGKQLTVKRQGLYYIYAQVTFCSNREASSQAPFIASLCLK SPGRFERILLRAANTHSSAKPCGQQSIHLGGVFELQPGASVFVNVTDPSQ VSHGTGFTSFGLLKL

CD40L polypeptides from other species are known in the art and can be obtained from publicly available gene databases, for example, GenBank, using the human sequence as a query.

In other embodiments, the CD40-binding moiety described herein can comprise an anti-CD40 antibody. As used herein, the term “anti-CD40 antibody” refers to any antibody capable of binding to a CD40 polypeptide, which can be of a suitable source, for example, human or a non-human mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, primate such as monkey, etc.).

The anti-CD40 antibodies described herein comprise a heavy chain that comprises a heavy chain variable domain, which is linked to any of the Fc variants described herein, and optionally a light chain that comprises a light chain variable region and a light chain constant region. The heavy chain variable region (V_(H)) and optionally the light chain variable region (V_(L)) are usually involved in antigen (CD40 in this case) binding.

The V_(H) and V_(L) regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, also known as “complementarity determining regions” (“CDR”), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, which are known as “framework regions” (“FR”). Each V_(H) and V_(L) is typically composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The extent of the framework region and CDRs can be precisely identified using methodology known in the art, for example, by the Kabat definition, the Chothia definition, the AbM definition, and/or the contact definition, all of which are well known in the art. See, e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242, Chothia et al., (1989) Nature 342:877; Chothia, C. et al. (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917, Al-lazikani et al (1997) J. Molec. Biol. 273:927-948; and Almagro, J. Mol. Recognit. 17:132-143 (2004). See also hgmp.mrc.ac.uk and bioinf.org.uk/abs).

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody as described herein can bind and inhibit the activity of CD40 by at least 50% (e.g., 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or greater, including any increment therein). The apparent inhibition constant (Ki^(app) or K_(i,app)), which provides a measure of inhibitor potency, is related to the concentration of inhibitor required to reduce enzyme activity and is not dependent on enzyme concentrations. The inhibitory activity of an anti-CD40 antibody described herein can be determined by routine methods known in the art.

The K_(i,) ^(app) value of an antibody may be determined by measuring the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of the antibody on the extent of the reaction (e.g., enzyme activity); fitting the change in pseudo-first order rate constant (v) as a function of inhibitor concentration to the modified Morrison equation (Equation 1) yields an estimate of the apparent Ki value. For a competitive inhibitor, the Ki^(app) can be obtained from the y-intercept extracted from a linear regression analysis of a plot of K_(i,) ^(app) versus substrate concentration.

$\begin{matrix} {{{v =}\quad}{\quad{{\quad\quad}{A \cdot \frac{\begin{matrix} {\left( {\lbrack E\rbrack - \lbrack I\rbrack - K_{i}^{app}} \right) +} \\ {\sqrt{\left( {\lbrack E\rbrack - \lbrack I\rbrack - K_{i}^{app}} \right)^{2} + {{4\lbrack E\rbrack} \cdot}}K_{i}^{app}} \end{matrix}}{2}}}}} & \left( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right) \end{matrix}$

Where A is equivalent to v_(o)/E, the initial velocity (v_(o)) of the enzymatic reaction in the absence of inhibitor (I) divided by the total enzyme concentration (E).

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody described herein may have a Ki^(app) value of 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 40, 30, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 pM or less for the target antigen or antigen epitope. In some embodiments, any of the anti-CD40 antibodies may be further affinity matured to reduce the Ki^(app) of the antibody to the target antigen or antigenic epitope thereof.

In some instances, the anti-CD40 antibody may suppress the signaling triggered by CD40/CD40L interaction by at least 50% (e.g., 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or greater, including any increment therein). Such inhibitory activity can be determined by conventional methods or the assays described herein.

The antibodies described herein can be murine, rat, human, or any other origin (including chimeric or humanized antibodies). Such antibodies are non-naturally occurring, i.e., would not be produced in an animal without human act (e.g., immunizing such an animal with a desired antigen or fragment thereof or isolated from antibody libraries).

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody is a humanized antibody, which may have one of more of the elements or characteristics described below or elsewhere herein. Humanized antibodies refer to forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies that are specific chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains, or antigen-binding fragments thereof that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. In general, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a CDR of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, the humanized antibody may comprise residues that are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences, but are included to further refine and optimize antibody performance. In some instances, the humanized antibody may comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region or domain (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. Antibodies may have Fc regions modified as described in WO 99/58572. Other forms of humanized antibodies have one or more CDRs (one, two, three, four, five, or six) which are altered with respect to the original antibody, which are also termed one or more CDRs “derived from” one or more CDRs from the original antibody. Humanized antibodies may also involve affinity maturation.

Methods for constructing humanized antibodies are also well known in the art. See, e.g., Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86:10029-10033 (1989). In one example, variable regions of V_(H) and V_(L) of a parent non-human antibody are subjected to three-dimensional molecular modeling analysis following methods known in the art. Next, framework amino acid residues predicted to be important for the formation of the correct CDR structures are identified using the same molecular modeling analysis. In parallel, human V_(H) and V_(L) chains having amino acid sequences that are homologous to those of the parent non-human antibody are identified from any antibody gene database using the parent V_(H) and V_(L) sequences as search queries. Human V_(H) and V_(L) acceptor genes are then selected.

The CDR regions within the selected human acceptor genes can be replaced with the CDR regions from the parent non-human antibody or functional variants thereof. When necessary, residues within the framework regions of the parent chain that are predicted to be important in interacting with the CDR regions can be used to substitute for the corresponding residues in the human acceptor genes.

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein specifically bind to the corresponding target antigen or an epitope thereof, e.g., CD40 antigen or epitope. An antibody that “specifically binds” to an antigen or an epitope is a term well understood in the art. A molecule is said to exhibit “specific binding” if it reacts more frequently, more rapidly, with greater duration and/or with greater affinity with a particular target antigen than it does with alternative targets. An antibody “specifically binds” to a target antigen or epitope if it binds with greater affinity, avidity, more readily, and/or with greater duration than it binds to other substances. For example, an antibody that specifically (or preferentially) binds to an antigen (CD40) or an antigenic epitope therein is an antibody that binds this target antigen with greater affinity, avidity, more readily, and/or with greater duration than it binds to other antigens or other epitopes in the same antigen. It is also understood with this definition that, for example, an antibody that specifically binds to a first target antigen may or may not specifically or preferentially bind to a second target antigen. As such, “specific binding” or “preferential binding” does not necessarily require (although it can include) exclusive binding. In some examples, an antibody that “specifically binds” to a target antigen or an epitope thereof may not bind to other antigens or other epitopes in the same antigen (i.e., only baseline binding activity can be detected in a conventional method). In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein specifically bind to CD40. Alternatively, or in addition, the anti-CD40 antibody described herein specifically binds human CD40 or a fragment thereof as relative to the mouse counterpart, or vice versa (e.g., having a binding affinity at least 10-fold higher to one antigen than the other as determined in the same assay under the same assay conditions). In other instances, the anti-CD40 antibody described herein may cross-react to human and a non-human CD40 (e.g., mouse), e.g., the difference in binding affinity to the human and the non-human CD40 is less than 5-fold, e.g., less than 2-fold, or substantially similar.

In some embodiments, an anti-CD40 antibody as described herein has a suitable binding affinity for the target antigen (e.g., CD40) or antigenic epitopes thereof. As used herein, “binding affinity” refers to the apparent association constant or KA. The KA is the reciprocal of the dissociation constant (K_(D)). The anti-CD40 antibody described herein may have a binding affinity (K_(D)) of at least 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻¹⁰ M, or lower for the target antigen or antigenic epitope. An increased binding affinity corresponds to a decreased K_(D). Higher affinity binding of an antibody for a first antigen relative to a second antigen can be indicated by a higher K_(A) (or a smaller numerical value K_(D)) for binding the first antigen than the K_(A) (or numerical value K_(D)) for binding the second antigen. In such cases, the antibody has specificity for the first antigen (e.g., a first protein in a first conformation or mimic thereof) relative to the second antigen (e.g., the same first protein in a second conformation or mimic thereof; or a second protein). Differences in binding affinity (e.g., for specificity or other comparisons) can be at least 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 37.5, 50, 70, 80, 91, 100, 500, 1000, 10,000 or 10⁵ fold. In some embodiments, any of the anti-CD40 antibodies may be further affinity matured to increase the binding affinity of the antibody to the target antigen or antigenic epitope thereof.

Binding affinity (or binding specificity) can be determined by a variety of methods including equilibrium dialysis, equilibrium binding, gel filtration, ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, or spectroscopy (e.g., using a fluorescence assay). Exemplary conditions for evaluating binding affinity are in HBS-P buffer (10 mM HEPES pH7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.005% (v/v) Surfactant P20). These techniques can be used to measure the concentration of bound binding protein as a function of target protein concentration. The concentration of bound binding protein ([Bound]) is generally related to the concentration of free target protein ([Free]) by the following equation: [Bound]=[Free]/(Kd+[Free])

It is not always necessary to make an exact determination of K_(A), though, since sometimes it is sufficient to obtain a quantitative measurement of affinity, e.g., determined using a method such as ELISA or FACS analysis, is proportional to K_(A), and thus can be used for comparisons, such as determining whether a higher affinity is, e.g., 2-fold higher, to obtain a qualitative measurement of affinity, or to obtain an inference of affinity, e.g., by activity in a functional assay, e.g., an in vitro or in vivo assay.

Provided below is an example anti-CD40 antibody 383 (V_(H) and V_(L) amino acid sequences; CDRs are indicated in boldface):

V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 128) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWM GWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRVTMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYC ARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSS V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 129) DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCRASQGIYSWLAWYQQKPGKAPNLLI YTASTLQSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQANIFPL TFGGGTKVEIK

Further exemplary anti-CD40 antibodies are provided below (CDRs are indicated in boldface).

19G6D6 V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 130) EVQLQQSGPELVKPGASVKIPCKASGYTFTDYNMDWVKQSHGKSLEWI GDINPNNDISIYNQKFRGKATLTVDKSSSTAYMELRSLTSEDTAVYYC ARRFAYWGQGTLVTVSA V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 131) DVVMTQIPLSLPVSIGDQASISCRSSQSLVYSYGNTYLHWFLQKPGQS PKLLIYNVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLRISRVEAEDLGVYFCSQG THVPWTFGGGTKLEIK 36G7B8 V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 132) QVQLQQPGAELVRPGASVKLSCKASGYIFISYWIHWLKQRPGRGLEWI GRIDPNNGGTKYNEKFRYKASLTVDKSSSTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYYC TKGVITTLVAGDYWGQGTTLTVSS V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 133) DIQMTQSPASLSASLGETVSIECLASEDISNDLAWYQQKSGKSPQLLI YFVDRLLDGVPSRFSGSGSGTRHSLKISGMQPEDEADYFCQQSYKYPP TFGGGTKLELK 13F1A7 V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 134) EVQILETGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCATSGFNFNDSFMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV AQIRNKNYNYATYYTESLEGRVTISRDDSKSRVYLQVSSLRAEDSAVY YCTSYYYDGFADYFDYWGQGVMVTVSS V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 135) EIVLTQSPTTMAASPGEKITITCSASSSISSNYLHWYQQKPGSSPKVL IYRTSNLASGVPVRFSGSGSGTSYSLTIGTMEAEDVATYYCQQGSSIP YTFGGGTKLEIK 9F12D9 V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 136) EVHLVESGGGLVQPGRSLKLSCAASGFTFTNYGLHWIRQAPTKGLEWV ASISPSGGVTYYRDSVKGRFTISRDNGKTTLHLQMDSLRSEDTATYYC ALPFLGWGGANWIAHWGQGTLVTVSS V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 137) DIKVTQSPSFLSASVGDRATINCKASQNLNKYLNWYQQKPGEPPKLLI YNTDNLYTGIPSRFSGSGSVADFTLTISGLQPEDVATYFCMQHNVRRT FGGGTKLELK 17C5C2 V_(H): (SEQ ID NO: 138) EVHILETGGGLVKPGGSLGLSCTTSGFNFNDYFMNWVRQAPGKGLEWV AQIRNGNYDYAAYYAESLEGRVTISRDDSKSSVNLQVSSLRAEDTAIY YCTSYYYDGHFDYFDNWGHGVMVTVSS V_(L): (SEQ ID NO: 139) DIKMTQSPSFLSASVGDSVTFTCKASQNIYIYLNWYQQKFGEAPKLLI YNTNNLQTGIPSRFSGSESGTVFTLTISSLQPEDVATYFCLQHSSRRT FGGGTKLELK

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein bind to the same epitope as any of the exemplary antibodies described herein or competes against the exemplary antibody from binding to the CD40 antigen.

An “epitope” refers to the site on a target antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody. The site can be entirely composed of amino acid components, entirely composed of chemical modifications of amino acids of the protein (e.g., glycosyl moieties), or composed of combinations thereof. Overlapping epitopes include at least one common amino acid residue. An epitope can be linear, which is typically 6-15 amino acids in length. Alternatively, the epitope can be conformational. The epitope to which an antibody binds can be determined by routine technology, for example, the epitope mapping method (see, e.g., descriptions below). An antibody that binds the same epitope as an exemplary antibody described herein may bind to exactly the same epitope or a substantially overlapping epitope (e.g., containing less than 3 non-overlapping amino acid residue, less than 2 non-overlapping amino acid residues, or only 1 non-overlapping amino acid residue) as the exemplary antibody. Whether two antibodies compete against each other from binding to the cognate antigen can be determined by a competition assay, which is well known in the art.

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibodies disclosed herein comprise the same heavy chain and light chain CDRs as those in (a) SEQ ID NO: 128 and SEQ ID NO: 129, (b) SEQ ID NO: 130 and SEQ ID NO: 131 (19G6D6); (c) SEQ ID NO: 132 and SEQ ID NO: 133 (36G7B8); (d) SEQ ID NO: 134 and SEQ ID NO: 135 (13F1A7); (e) SEQ ID NO: 136 and SEQ ID NO: 137 (9F12D9), or (f) SEQ ID NO: 138 and SEQ ID NO: 139 (17C5C2). In some examples, the anti-CD40 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO:130, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO:136, or SEQ ID NO:138, and/or a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, or SEQ ID NO:139.

Also within the scope of the present disclosure are functional variants of any one of the exemplary anti-CD40 antibodies as disclosed herein. Such functional variants are substantially similar to any one of the exemplary anti-CD40 antibodies, both structurally and functionally. A functional variant comprises substantially the same V_(H) and V_(L) CDRs as any one of the exemplary anti-CD40 antibodies. For example, it may comprise only up to 10 (e.g., 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1) amino acid residue variations in the total CDR regions of the antibody (collectively) and binds the same epitope of CD40 with substantially similar affinity (e.g., having a K_(D) value in the same order). Alternatively or in addition, the amino acid residue variations are conservative amino acid residue substitutions. As used herein, a “conservative amino acid substitution” refers to an amino acid substitution that does not alter the relative charge or size characteristics of the protein in which the amino acid substitution is made. Variants can be prepared according to methods for altering polypeptide sequence known to one of ordinary skill in the art such as are found in references which compile such methods, e.g. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, J. Sambrook, et al., eds., Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989, or Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel, et al., eds., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Conservative substitutions of amino acids include substitutions made amongst amino acids within the following groups: (a) M, I, L, V; (b) F, Y, W; (c) K, R, H; (d) A, G; (e) S, T; (f) Q, N; and (g) E, D.

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody described herein may comprise heavy chain CDRs, which in combination (collectively) have at least 80% (e.g., 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and any incremental percent therein) sequence identity with the heavy chain CDRs in SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO:130, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO:136, or SEQ ID NO:138. Alternatively or in addition, the anti-CD40 antibody may comprises light chain CDRs, which collectively have at least 80% (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and any incremental percent therein) sequence identity with those in SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, or SEQ ID NO:139.

In some embodiments, the anti-CD40 antibody described herein may comprise a heavy chain variable domain that is at least 80% (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and any incremental percent therein) to SEQ ID NOs: 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, or 138 and/or a light chain variable domain that is at least 80% (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and any incremental percent therein) identical to SEQ ID NOs: 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, or 139.

The “percent identity” of two amino acid sequences is determined using the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-68, 1990, modified as in Karlin and Altschul Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77, 1993. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10, 1990. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to the protein molecules of interest. Where gaps exist between two sequences, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25(17):3389-3402, 1997. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used.

(ii) Engineered Fc Regions

The CD40-binding molecules described herein comprise a modified heavy chain constant region, in which the Fc domain is modified to modulate its binding affinity and/or specificity to Fc receptors such as FcγRs.

In some embodiments, the Fc variants in the CD40-binding molecules described herein have enhanced selectivity to FcγRIIB relative to its wild-type counterpart. An Fc fragment having selectivity to FcγRIIB, selectively binding to FcγRIIB, or specifically binding to FcγRIIB is a term well understood in the art. A molecule is said to exhibit “selective binding” or “specific binding” if it reacts more frequently, more rapidly, with greater duration and/or with greater affinity with a particular target antigen (e.g., an FcγRIIB receptor) than it does with alternative targets (e.g., FcγRIII receptors). An Fc fragment “specifically binds” to an Fc receptor if it binds with greater affinity, avidity, more readily, and/or with greater duration than it binds to other Fc receptors. For example, an Fc fragment that specifically (or preferentially) binds to FcγRIIB is an Fc fragment that binds this Fc receptor with greater affinity, avidity, more readily, and/or with greater duration than it binds to other Fc receptors. It is also understood with this definition that, for example, an Fc fragment that selectively or specifically binds to a first Fc receptor may or may not specifically or preferentially bind to a second Fc receptor. As such, “selective binding,” “specific binding” or “preferential binding” does not necessarily require (although it can include) exclusive binding. In some examples, an Fc fragment that “selectively binds,” or “specifically binds” to a target Fc receptor (e.g., FcγRIIB) may not bind to other Fc receptors (i.e., binding not detectable by routine methods). In other embodiments, the variant Fc fragment does not bind to any FcγRs.

Relative binding affinities of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 to different Fc receptors are given in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Relative Binding Affinities of Human and Mouse Immunoglobulins to Fc Receptors Human Mouse FcγR IgG1 IgG2 IgG4 FcγR IgG1 IgG2a IgG2b I ++++ − ++++ I − ++++ ++++ IIA (H131) +++ ++ ++ III ++ ++ ++ IIA (R131) +++ + ++ IIB ++ +/− ++ BB +++ ++ +++ IIIA +++ + ++ IV − +++ ++ (V158) IIIA ++ +/− ++ (F158)

The Fc variants described herein may have enhanced selectivity to FcγRIIB relative to their wild-type counterparts (the wild-type parent Fc region in which mutations are introduced to produce the Fc variants). The relative binding activity to FcγRIIB versus another Fc receptor (e.g., FcγRIII) of such an Fc variant is higher than the relative binding activity to FcγRIIB versus the other Fc receptor (e.g., FcγRIII) of the wild-type counterpart. The Fc variant may have enhanced binding activity to FcγRIIB and/or decreased binding activity to another Fc receptor, for example, FcγRIII. In some embodiments, the Fc variants described herein may have decreased binding activity to both FcγRIIB and another Fc receptor (for example, FcγRIII); however, the level of decreased binding activity to the other Fc receptor (e.g., FcγRIII) is greater than the level of decreased binding activity to FcγRIIB.

In some embodiments, an Fc variant as described herein has a suitable binding affinity for FcγRIIB, e.g., enhanced as compared with the wild-type parent Fc from which the Fc variant is derived. As used herein, “binding affinity” refers to the apparent association constant or KA. The KA is the reciprocal of the dissociation constant (K_(D)). The Fc variant described herein may have a binding affinity (K_(D)) of at least 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻¹⁰ M, or lower for FcγRIIB. An increased binding affinity corresponds to a decreased K_(D). Higher affinity binding of an Fc fragment for a first Fc receptor relative to a second Fc receptor can be indicated by a higher K_(A) (or a smaller numerical value K_(D)) for binding the first Fc receptor than the K_(A) (or numerical value K_(D)) for binding the second Fc receptor. In such cases, the Fc variant has specificity for the first Fc receptor relative to the second Fc receptor. In some embodiments, the Fc variants described herein have a higher binding affinity (a higher K_(A) or smaller K_(D)) to FcγRIIB as compared to the binding affinity to FcγRIII (either FcγRIIIA or FcγRIIIB) Differences in binding affinity (e.g., for specificity or other comparisons) can be at least 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 37.5, 50, 70, 80, 91, 100, 500, 1000, 10,000 or 10⁵ fold.

In some embodiments, the Fc variants described herein may be designed by mutating one or more amino acid residues in the wild-type of human IgG1, IgG2, or IgG4 Fc fragments in light of the amino acid residues in the corresponding mouse IgG, for example, mouse IgG1. A sequence comparison of human and mouse IgGs (hIgG and mIgG, respectively) is provided below (SEQ ID NOs: 60-64, from top to bottom, each representing a combination of fragments 211-245, 260-278, and 320-332 of the corresponding Fc region):

21-       22-       23-       24-    . . . 26-       27-       . . . 32-       33- 12345678 9012345

0123456789012345 . . . 0123456 7 89012 3 45678 . . . 01234567 8 9012      Upper      

 CH2 hIgG1 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG2 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG4 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI mIgG1 VDKKIVPR-DC--G

TVPEVS---SVFIFPP . . . TCVVVDISKDDPEVQFSWF . . . KCRVNSAAFPAPI mIgG2a VDKKIEPRGPTIKP

PAPNLLGGPSVFIFPP . . . TCVVVDVSEDDPDVQISWF . . . KCKVNNKDLPAPI

The amino acid sequences of wild-type murine IgG1 and IgG2 Fc fragments, as well as exemplary Fc variants with reduced FcγR binding are provided below:

Amino acid sequence of wild-type mouse IgG1 Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 142) VDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPKPKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVD ISKDDPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREEQFNSTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLN GKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTISKTKGRPKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSL TCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAENYKNTQPIMDTDGSYFVYSKLNVQKS NWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTEKSLSHSPGK Amino acid sequence of wild-type mouse IgG2a Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 143) VDKKIEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPIV TCVVVDVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTAQTQTHREDYNSTLRVVSALPIQ HQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAPIERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMT KKQVTLTCMVTDFMPEDIYVEWTNNGKTELNYKNTEPVLDSDGSYFMYSK LRVEKKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTTKSFSRTPGK Amino acid sequence of mutant mouse IgG1mDANA Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 144) VDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPKPKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVA ISKDDPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREEQFASTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLN GKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTISKTKGRPKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSL TCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAENYKNTQPIMDTDGSYFVYSKLNVQKS NWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTEKSLSHSPGK Amino acid sequence of mutant mouse IgG2a1mDANA Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 145) VDKKIEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPIV TCVVVAVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTAQTQTHREDYASTLRVVSALPIQ HQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAPIERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMT KKQVTLTCMVTDFMPEDIYVEWTNNGKTELNYKNTEPVLDSDGSYFMYSK LRVEKKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTTKSFSRTPGK

In some embodiments, the Fc variants described herein is a human IgG1, G2, or G4 Fc variants comprising one or more mutations (e.g., amino acid substitutions, deletions, or additions) in the hinge domain of an Fc fragment. Human IgGs contain a core motif of CPPC or CPSC in the hinge domain (positions 226-229 according to the EU index). Positions 216 to 225 are deemed as the upper portion of the hinge domain and positions 230-238 are deemed as the lower portion of the hinge domain. The numbering system used herein, unless explicitly indicated, is according to the EU index. In some examples, the one or more mutations can be located in the upper portion of the hinge domain. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more mutations can be located in the lower portion of the hinge domain. In some embodiments, the Fc region of any of the anti-CD40 molecules disclosed herein may comprise at least one mutation at any of positions 220-331, preferably at any of positions 228-329. Such Fc variants may have altered binding affinity and/or specificity to one or more of Fc receptors (e.g., FcγIIB, FcγRI, FcγRIIA, or FcγRIIIA) as compared with their native counterparts.

In some embodiments, the mutations to a human IgG Fc can be made according to the corresponding amino acid residues in the hinge domain of mouse IgG1. For example, mouse IgG1 does not contain the GGP motif at positions 236-238. Accordingly, one or more of the residues in this GGP motif can be deleted from a human IgG1, IgG2, or IgG4 Fc fragment to produce the Fc variants described herein.

Alternatively or in addition, the human Fc variants may contain one or more amino acid substitutions in the upper portion, in the lower portion, or both of the hinge domain. For example, the Fc variant may comprise one or more amino acid substitutions at one or more of positions 233, 234, 235, and/or 236. Such an amino acid substitution may be in combination with the deletion of one or more of the GGP motif (236-238) noted herein. These mutations may be introduced into a human IgG2 or IgG4 Fc fragment to produce the Fc variants described herein. In some examples, the Fc variants described herein contains a deletion at one or more of the positions 236-238 (e.g., 236, 237, 238 or any combination thereof)

Any of the mutations in the hinge domain described herein may be in combination with a mutation (e.g., amino acid substitutions) at one or more positions that are involved in interaction with an Fc receptor. Such positions include, but are not limited to, positions 265, 267, 273, 297, and 327-331, or a combination thereof. Exemplary amino acid substitutions at those positions include D265A, S267E, V273E, N297A, L328F, P329G, A330S, and/or P331S.

In some embodiments, the Fc variants disclosed herein can be derived from an IgG1 molecule (e.g., human IgG1) and contain one or more mutations at positions at one or more of positions 220, 226, 229, 234-238, 265, 267, 297, and 327-331. For example, the Fc variant may comprise a substitution or deletion within positions 234-238, a substitution at position 265 (e.g., D265A), a substitution at position 267 (e.g., S267E), a substitution at position 297 (e.g., N297A), a substitution at position 328 (e.g., L328F), a substitution at position 329 (e.g., P329G), or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition, it may comprise a substitution at one or more of the positions 220 (e.g., C220S), 226 (e.g., C226S), 229 (e.g., C229S), 327 (e.g., A327G), 330 (e.g., A330S), and 331 (e.g., P331S). In some instances, the Fc variants derived from an IgG1 molecule may comprise a deletion at one or more of positions 236-238.

In some embodiments, the Fc variants disclosed herein can be derived from an IgG2 molecule (e.g., human IgG2) and contain one or more mutations at one or more of positions 233-235, 237-238, 265-268, 273, 297, 328, 330, and 331. In some examples, such a Fc variant may comprise comprises a deletion within positions 237-238 (e.g., a deletion at position 237 or a deletion of both positions 237 and 238), a substitution at position 265 (e.g., D265A), a substitution at position 267 (e.g., S267E), a substitution at position 297 (e.g., N297A), a substitution at position 328 (e.g., L328F), or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variant derived from an IgG2 molecule may comprise a substitution at one or more of positions 233-235, 237, 238, 268, 273, 330, and 331 (e.g., P233E, V234A, V234L, A235L, A235S, G237A, P238S, H268A, H268Q, V273E, A330S, and P331S).

In yet other embodiments, the Fc variants disclosed herein can be derived from an IgG4 molecule (e.g., human IgG4) and contain one or more mutations at one or more positions of 228, 233-238, 265, 267, 273, 297, and 328. In some examples, such a Fc variant may comprise a substitution at position 228 (e.g., S228P), a substitution or deletion at any of positions 235-238 (e.g., a deletion at one of positions 236-238, for example, position 236 and position 237), a substitution at position 265 (e.g., D265A), a substitution at position 267 (e.g., S267E), a substitution at position 273 (e.g., V273E), a substitution at position 297 (e.g., N297A), a substitution at position 328 (e.g., L328F), or a combination thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variant may comprise a substitution at one or more of positions 233-235 and 237 (e.g., E233P, F234V, F234A, L235S, L235E, L235A, and G237A).

Fc variants derived from IgG2 or IgG4 molecules that contain one or more mutations at positions 265, 267, 273, 297, 328, and/or 329 are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Such mutations may include amino acid substitutions at one or more of these positions, for example, D265A, S267E, V273E, N297A, L328F, and/or P329G.

In some instances, any of the Fc variants disclosed herein may further comprise a mutation at position 309, for example, a substitution (e.g., V309L). Such an Fc variant may be derived from an IgG2 molecule (e.g., human IgG2). In some embodiments, the mutation at position 309 may be in combination with mutations at one or more of positions 234, 268, 330, and 331. Examples of such Fc variants include G2m43.

In some embodiments, an Fc variant described herein may comprise an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical (e.g., 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or above) to that of its wild-type counterpart (e.g., the Fc fragment of wild-type human IgG1, IgG2, or IgG4 described herein).

In one example, the amino acid residue substitutions in an Fc variant described herein are conservative amino acid residue substitutions.

Provided below is a sequence alignment showing exemplary positions where mutations can be introduced into hIgG1, hIgG2, and IgG4 to produce various Fc variants for the present disclosure.

Sequence alignment of human IgG1 variants relative to wild-type human IgG1 (SEQ ID  NOs: 70-88, 163-168, and 215, from top to bottom): 21-      22-         23-      24-    . . . 26-       27-       . . . 32-       33- 12345678 9012345

0123456789012345 . . . 0123456 7 89012 3 45678 . . . 01234567 8 9012    Upper 

       CH2 hIgG1 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m1    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m2    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m-2   KKVEPK-CC

v

e

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m-4   KKVEPKYG

pp

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m5    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPE

KFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m7    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m8    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1m9    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1m15      KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPE

KFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m17    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m18    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1m19    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1m25    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPE

KFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m27    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m28    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1m29    KVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKA

PAPI hIgG1mAA   KKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPE

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1mAG   KKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPE

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKAL

API hIgG1m40 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m45 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAP

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m240 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPELL-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m47 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAP

-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNK

LP

I hIgG1m48 VDKKVEPK-S

DKTHT

PAPELLGG

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m49 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAP

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPAPI hIgG1m50 VDKKVEPK-SCDKTHT

PAPE

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY . . . KCKVSNKALPA

I

Sequence alignment of human IgG2 variants relative to wild-type human IgG2 (SEQ ID NOs: 89-105 and 169-173, from top to bottom): 21-      22-         23-      24-    . . . 26-        27-      . . . 32-       33- 12345678 9012345

0123456789012345 . . . 0123456 7 89012 3 45678 . . . 01234567 8 9012    Upper     

   CH2 hIgG2 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m1    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m-1   KTVERK-SCDKTHT

PAPPVA-GPSVFLETP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m2    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPP

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m-4   KTVERKYG

-

-PP

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m5    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m7    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m8    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m9    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m10    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAP

-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m15    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m17    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m18    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m19    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m20    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m27    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

HEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m28    TVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PAPI hIgG2m40 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVaVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2m43 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPP

A-

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVS

EDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLP

I hIgG2m44 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVS

EDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLP

I hIgG2mAA VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPP

A-

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI G2m2040 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA--PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSHEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPAPI hIgG2G4 VDKTVERK-CC-V-E-

PAPPVA-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVS

EDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLP

I

Sequence alignment of human IgG4 variants relative to wild-type human IgG4 (SEQ ID NOs: 65, 106-127, and 174-177, from top to bottom) 21-      22-         23-      24-    . . . 26-        27-      . . . 32-       33- 12345678 9012345

0123456789012345 . . . 0123456 7 89012 3 45678 . . . 01234567 8 9012    Upper      

  CH2 hIgG4 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m1   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m-1   KRVESK

SCDKTHT

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m2   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m-2   KRVESK-CC-v-e

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m3   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m4   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL---SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m5   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL-GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m7   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m8   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m9   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m10   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPE

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m15   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m17   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m18   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m19   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m20   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLG

SVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m25   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPE

QFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m27   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m28   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m29   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

GPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDV

QEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKG

PSSI hIgG4m30   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFL

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4mPE   KRVESKYG----PP

PAPEF

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m40 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAPEFLGGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m41 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAP

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m42 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAP

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVV

VSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI hIgG4m46 VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAPE

LG

PSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI* hIgG4mAA VDKRVESKYG----PP

PAPE

GGPSVFLFPP . . . TCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWY . . . KCKVSNKGLPSSI

The amino acid sequences of wild-type human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 Fc fragments, and a number of exemplary hIgG1, hIgG2, and hIgG4 Fc variants (position 221 and onward based on EU numbering) are provided below:

Amino acid sequence of wild-type human IgG1 Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 1) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK Amino acid sequence of wild-type human IgG2 Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 2) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK Amino acid sequence of wild-type human IgG4 Fc fragment: (SEQ ID NO: 3) VDKRVESKYGPPCPSCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK Amino acid sequence of human IgG4 S228P Fc variant: (SEQ ID NO: 4) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK Amino acid sequences of exemplary human IgG1 Fc variants: G1m1: (SEQ ID NO: 5) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G1m2: (SEQ ID NO: 6) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m-2: (SEQ ID NO: 7) VDKKVEPKCCVECPPCPAPELLSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G1m-4: (SEQ ID NO: 8) VDKKVEPKYGPPCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G1m5: (SEQ ID NO: 9) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEEKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m7: (SEQ ID NO: 10) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m8: (SEQ ID NO: 11) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m9: (SEQ ID NO: 12) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m15: (SEQ ID NO: 13) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEEKENWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G1m17: (SEQ ID NO: 14) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G1m18: (SEQ ID NO: 15) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G1m19: (SEQ ID NO: 16) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G1m25: (SEQ ID NO: 17) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEEKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m27: (SEQ ID NO: 18) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m28: (SEQ ID NO: 19) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m29: (SEQ ID NO: 20) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKAFPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1mAA: (SEQ ID NO: 21) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1mAG: (SEQ ID NO: 22) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALGAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m40: (SEQ ID NO: 160) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m45 (SEQ ID NO: 178) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPpvaGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m240 (SEQ ID NO: 179) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1 N297A (SEQ ID NO: 180) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYaSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m47 (SEQ ID NO: 181) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPpvaGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKgLPssIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G1m48 (SEQ ID NO: 182) VDKKVEPKSsDKTHTsPPsPAPELLGGsSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m49 (SEQ ID NO: 183) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTsPPsPAPpvaGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK G1m50 (SEQ ID NO: 184) VDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEfeGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVH NAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAsIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTK NQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGK Amino acid sequences of exemplary human IgG2 Fc variants: G2m1: (SEQ ID NO: 23) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m-1: (SEQ ID NO: 24) VDKTVERKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK G2m2: (SEQ ID NO: 25) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK G2m-4: (SEQ ID NO: 26) VDKTVERKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m5: (SEQ ID NO: 27) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m7: (SEQ ID NO: 28) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m8: (SEQ ID NO: 29) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m9: (SEQ ID NO: 30) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m10: (SEQ ID NO: 31) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPEVSSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m15: (SEQ ID NO: 32) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m17: (SEQ ID NO: 33) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m18: (SEQ ID NO: 34) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m19: (SEQ ID NO: 35) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK G2m20: (SEQ ID NO: 36) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK G2m27: (SEQ ID NO: 37) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK G2m28: (SEQ ID NO: 38) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK G2m40: (SEQ ID NO: 161) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFASTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m43 (SEQ ID NO: 185) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPaaasSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSaEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTV1HQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPssIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m44 (SEQ ID NO: 186) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSqEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTV1HQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPssIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2mAA (SEQ ID NO: 213) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPaaaPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSPGK G2m2040 (SEQ ID NO: 187) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFASTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK G2G4 (SEQ ID NO: 188) VDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK Amino acid sequences of exemplary human IgG4 Fc variants: G4m1: (SEQ ID NO: 39) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m-1: (SEQ ID NO: 40) VDKRVESKSCDKTHTPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVE VHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEM TKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALH NHYTQKSLSLSLGK G4m2: (SEQ ID NO: 41) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK G4m-2: (SEQ ID NO: 42) VDKRVESKCCVEPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHN AKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKN QVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSLGK G4m3: (SEQ ID NO: 43) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m4: (SEQ ID NO: 44) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m5: (SEQ ID NO: 45) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m7: (SEQ ID NO: 46) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m8: (SEQ ID NO: 47) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m9: (SEQ ID NO: 48) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m10: (SEQ ID NO: 49) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEVSSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m17: (SEQ ID NO: 50) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m18: (SEQ ID NO: 51) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m19: (SEQ ID NO: 52) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSLGK G4m20: (SEQ ID NO: 53) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSLGK G4m25: (SEQ ID NO: 54) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEEQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK G4m27: (SEQ ID NO: 55) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK G4m28: (SEQ ID NO: 56) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK G4m29: (SEQ ID NO: 57) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQK SLSLSLGK G4m30: (SEQ ID NO: 58) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTK PREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSLGK G4mPE: (SEQ ID NO: 59) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m40: (SEQ ID NO: 162) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m41 (SEQ ID NO: 189) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m42 (SEQ ID NO: 190) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4m46 (SEQ ID NO: 191) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEaLGaPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKaYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK G4mAA (SEQ ID NO: 192) VDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEaaGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAK TKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQV SLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSLGK

The Fc variants described herein may exhibit an enhanced binding activity to FcγRIIB as compared with the wild-type counterpart. Examples include G2m2, G2m5, G2m7, G2m8, G2m9, G2m19, G2m44, G1m7, G1m9, G1m27, G1m45, G1m47, G1m49, G1m50, G4m7, G4m46 and G4mPE. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variants may have an enhanced selectivity to FcγRIIB as compared with their wild-type counterparts, for example, G2m1, G2m20, G2m43, G2m44, G2G4, G2mAA, G1m2, G1m15, G1m17, G1m18, G1m19, G1m27, G1m28, G1m29, G4m1, G4m2, G4m7, G4m8, G4m9, G4m20, G4m25, G4m27, G4m28, G4m30, G4m46 and G4mPE. Such Fc variants may retain the binding activity to FcRn. These Fc variants can be used for constructing therapeutic agents described herein capable of cross-linking immune receptors and FcγRIIB receptor.

Alternatively, certain Fc variants as described herein may have selectivity to FcγRIIB and/or apparent low or no binding activity to any FcγR. Examples include G1m2, G1m25, G1m40, G1mAAG, G1m240, G2m1, G2m20, G2m40, G2m2040, G4m5, G4m18, G4m19, G4m20, G4m30, G4m40, G4m41, and G4m42. Such Fc variants may retain the binding activity to FcRn. Therapeutic agents (e.g., antibodies) containing such Fc variants may be capable of cross-linking immune receptors and FcγRIIB receptor due to avidity effect.

The changes of binding affinity/specificity of the exemplary Fc variants as compared with their wild-type counterparts are provided in Tables 2-4 below. “N/A” indicates no data available. When the binding activity of an Fc variant is found to be “no change” as compared with the wild-type counterpart, it means that there is no significant variation of the binding activity between the Fc variant and the wild-type counterpart as indicated by the same assay under the same experimental conditions. When the binding activity of an Fc variant is “increased” or “decreased” as relative to its wild-type counterpart means that the binding activity of the Fc variant is higher or lower than that of the wild-type counterpart as determined by the same assay under the same experimental conditions and the variation is significant (e.g., biologically significant) as known to those skilled in the art. When the binding activity of an Fc variant is “slightly increased” or “slightly decreased” as relative to its wild-type counterpart means that the binding activity of the Fc variant is higher or lower than that of the wild-type counterpart as determined by the same assay under the same experimental conditions and the variation is statistically significant but to a limited level (e.g., up to 10%).

TABLE 2 FcγR Binding Activity of Human IgG1 Mutants as Relative to Wild-Type Human IgG1 IgG1 Changes of Binding Activity Relative to Wild-Type Counterparts Mutant FcγRI FcγRIIA(H131) FcγRIIA(R131) FcγRIIB FcγRIIC FcγRIII G1m1 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m2 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m-2 No change N/A N/A No change N/A No change G1m-4 No change N/A N/A No change N/A No change G1m5 Increased Increased Increased No change Increased Slightly decreased G1m7 Increased Increased Increased Increased Increased Slightly decreased G1m8 Increased Slightly No change Increased Slightly Slightly decreased increased decreased G1m9 Increased Decreased Increased Increased Increased No change G1m15 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m17 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m18 Decreased Decreased No change Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m19 Decreased Increased Increased Increased Increased Decreased G1m25 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m27 Decreased Decreased Decreased Increased Decreased Decreased G1m28 Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased Decreased G1m29 Decreased Decreased Increased Increased Increased Decreased G1mAA Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1mAAG Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1m240 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1m45 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased N297A G1m47 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1m48 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1m49 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G1m50 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased

TABLE 3 FcγR Binding Activity of Human IgG2 Mutants as Relative to Wild-Type Human IgG2 IgG2 Change of Binding Activity Relative to Wild-Type Counterpart Mutant FcγRI FcγRIIA(H131) FcγRIIA(R131) FcγRIIB FcγRIIC FcγRIII G2m1 No change Decreased Decreased Decreased No change No change G2m2 Increased Decreased No change Increased No change No change G2m10 No change Decreased No change Slightly No change No change decreased G2m5 Slightly Decreased No change Decreased No change No change increased G2m7 No change Slightly Increased Increased Slightly No change increased increased G2m8 No change Decreased No change No change No change No change G2m9 No change No change Increased Increased Increased No change G2m-1 Increased N/A N/A Decreased N/A No change G2m-4 Increased N/A N/A Decreased N/A No change G2m15 No change N/A N/A Decreased N/A No change G2m17 No change N/A Increased No change Increased No change G2m18 Slightly N/A No change Decreased No change No change increased G2m19 No change N/A Increased Increased No change No change G2m20 No change N/A No change Decreased No change No change G2m27 Slightly N/A N/A Increased N/A No change increased G2m28 No change N/A N/A Increased N/A No change G2m20 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased 40 G2m43 No change N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G2m44 No change N/A Decreased No change N/A Decreased G2mA No change N/A Decreased No change N/A Decreased A G2G4 Decreased N/A Decreased No change N/A Decreased

TABLE 4 FcγR Binding Activity of Human IgG4 Mutants as Relative to Wild-Type Human IgG4 IgG4 Change of Binding Activity Relative to Wild-Type Counterpart Mutant FcγRI FcγRIIA(H131) FcγRIIA(R131) FcγRIIB FcγRIIC FcγRIII G4m1 Decreased Increased No change Slightly Slightly No change decreased increased G4m2 Decreased No change Decreased Slightly No change No change decreased G4m10 Decreased No change Decreased Decreased No change No change G4m20 Decreased No change Decreased Decreased No change No change G4m3 Decreased No change No change Decreased No change No change G4m7 No change Increased Increased Increased Increased Slightly increased G4m8 No change No change Increased Slightly No change No change increased G4m9 No change No change Increased Increased Increased No change G4m17 Decreased No change Increased Increased Increased Increased G4m18 Decreased No change No change Decreased No change Increased G4m19 Decreased No change No change Decreased No change Slightly increased G4m25 Decreased No change Increased Slightly No change Increased decreased G4m27 Decreased No change No change Decreased No change Slightly increased G4m28 Decreased No change Slightly Increased Increased No change increased G4m29 Decreased No change Increased Increased Increased Slightly increased G4m4 Decreased No change No change Decreased No change No change G4m-1 No change N/A N/A No change N/A No change G4m-2 No change N/A N/A Decreased N/A No change G4mPE Decreased N/A N/A Slightly No change No change decreased G4m30 Decreased N/A No change Decreased No change No change G4m40 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G4m41 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G4m42 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased G4mA Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased A G4m46 Decreased N/A Decreased Decreased N/A Decreased

An Fc variant as described herein can be designed following the guidance provided herein and produced via routine recombinant technology. Its binding affinity and specificity to various Fc receptors can be determined via routine methods. See also Examples below.

In specific examples, the CD40-binding molecules (anti-CD40 molecules) disclosed herein may maintain the hinge region of the IgG1 parent, contain one or more mutations (e.g., one or more deletions at positions 236-238 in light of mouse IgG1 as discussed above) that lead to reduced binding affinity to Fc receptors such as FcγR2B but maintain residual binding activity to the Fc receptor. Exemplary Fc variants having such properties include, but are not limited to, G1m2, G4m20, G4m30 and G4m46. The CD40 binding moiety in such anti-CD molecules may be derived from an agonistic anti-CD40 antibody. Such a CD40 binding moiety may be derived from the anti-CD40 antibody 383 disclosed herein. In some instances, the CD40 binding moiety comprises the same V_(H) and V_(L) CDRs as antibody 383. In some examples, the CD40 binding moiety may comprise the same V_(H) and/or V_(L) chains as antibody 383 (SEQ ID NOs: 128 and 129, respectively). Alternatively, the CD40 binding moiety can be a functional variant of antibody 383 as disclosed herein. Such CD40 binding molecules would have a number of advantageous features as demonstrated in the Examples below. Examples include enhanced anti-tumor efficacy with improved therapeutic window and reduced side effects (e.g., less liver toxicity) in vivo, which may be attributable to the baseline CD40 agonistic activity and the residual FcγRIIB binding activity. Too high CD40 agonist activity and/or FcγRIIB binding activity are expected to induce side effects such as cell toxicity.

In other specific examples, the CD40-binding molecule disclosed herein may comprise a Fc variant domain derived from IgG2 (e.g., maintain the IgG2 hinge) and contain one or more mutations (e.g., deletions or substitutions) at one or more of positions 236-238 in light of the mouse counterpart to reduce binding affinity to Fc receptors, particularly binding affinity to FcγRIIB. In some instances, such Fc variants have deletions at one or more of positions 236-238. Alternatively or in addition, the Fc variants may have substitutions at positions 234, 237, 238, 268 or a combination thereof. Such Fc variants may contain further mutations at one or more positions involved in binding to Fc receptors, for example, position 265 (e.g., D265A). The Fc variants may maintain residual binding activity to a Fc receptor such as FcγRIIB (e.g., G2m20 and G2m43). Alternatively, the Fc variants may not bind to Fc receptors such as FcγRIIB (e.g., G2m40). The CD40 binding moiety in such anti-CD molecules may be derived from an agonistic anti-CD40 antibody. Such a CD40 binding moiety may be derived from the anti-CD40 antibody 383 disclosed herein. In some instances, the CD40 binding moiety comprises the same V_(H) and V_(L) CDRs as antibody 383. In some examples, the CD40 binding moiety may comprise the same V_(H) and/or V_(L) chains as antibody 383 (SEQ ID NOs: 128 and 129, respectively). Alternatively, the CD40 binding moiety can be a functional variant of antibody 383 as disclosed herein. Such CD40 binding molecules would have a number of advantageous features as demonstrated in the Examples below. Examples include enhanced anti-tumor efficacy with improved therapeutic window and reduced side effects (e.g., less liver toxicity) in vivo, which may be attributable to the combination of baseline CD40 agonistic activity and the residual FcγRIIB binding activity (e.g., 383-IghuG2m20), or the combination of relatively high CD40 agonistic activity and no binding to FcγRIIB (e.g., 383-IghuG2m40).

Besides the FACS binding assay described herein, the activity of Fc variants for Fcγ receptors can be examined in alternative assays. For example, CD40 reporter assays with or without co-culture of FcγRIIB expressing cells can be used to demonstrate effect of receptor cross-linking and activation. Because of avidity effect resulting from simultaneous binding of antibody to two targets (e.g., CD40 and FcγRIIB), this assay is more sensitive to detect FcγRIIB binding. Minimal or no apparent binding detectable by FACS may show positive results in the reporter assay.

II. Preparation of CD40-binding Molecules Comprising Fc Variants

The CD40-binding molecules described herein may be prepared by conventional methodology, for example, recombinant technology. Some examples follow.

For CD40-binding molecules comprising an extracellular domain of a CD40L, a coding sequence of the CD40L extracellular domain can be fused in frame with a coding sequence of a suitable Fc variant. The coding sequence for the whole CD40-binding molecule can be cloned into a suitable expression vector, which can be introduced into a suitable host cell for protein expression.

Antibodies binding to CD40 can be prepared by any method known in the art. See, for example, Harlow and Lane, (1998) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York. In some embodiments, antibodies specific to CD40 or an extracellular domain thereof can be made by the conventional hybridoma technology. The full-length target receptor or a fragment thereof, optionally coupled to a carrier protein such as KLH, can be used to immunize a host animal for generating antibodies binding to that antigen. The route and schedule of immunization of the host animal are generally in keeping with established and conventional techniques for antibody stimulation and production, as further described herein. General techniques for production of mouse, humanized, and human antibodies are known in the art and are described herein. It is contemplated that any mammalian subject including humans or antibody producing cells therefrom can be manipulated to serve as the basis for production of mammalian, including human hybridoma cell lines. Typically, the host animal is inoculated intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, orally, subcutaneously, intraplantar, and/or intradermally with an amount of immunogen, including as described herein.

Hybridomas can be prepared from the lymphocytes and immortalized myeloma cells using the general somatic cell hybridization technique of Kohler, B. and Milstein, C. (1975) Nature 256:495-497 or as modified by Buck, D. W., et al., In Vitro, 18:377-381 (1982). Available myeloma lines, including but not limited to X63-Ag8.653 and those from the Salk Institute, Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif., USA, may be used in the hybridization. Generally, the technique involves fusing myeloma cells and lymphoid cells using a fusogen such as polyethylene glycol, or by electrical means well known to those skilled in the art. After the fusion, the cells are separated from the fusion medium and grown in a selective growth medium, such as hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) medium, to eliminate unhybridized parent cells. Any of the media described herein, supplemented with or without serum, can be used for culturing hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies. As another alternative to the cell fusion technique, EBV immortalized B cells may be used to produce the anti-immune cell receptor monoclonal antibodies described herein. The hybridomas are expanded and subcloned, if desired, and supernatants are assayed for anti-immunogen activity by conventional immunoassay procedures (e.g., radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay, or fluorescence immunoassay).

Hybridomas that may be used as source of antibodies encompass all derivatives, progeny cells of the parent hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies capable of modulating the activity of the target immune cell receptor. Hybridomas that produce such antibodies may be grown in vitro or in vivo using known procedures. The monoclonal antibodies may be isolated from the culture media or body fluids, by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, chromatography, and ultrafiltration, if desired. Undesired activity if present, can be removed, for example, by running the preparation over adsorbents made of the immunogen attached to a solid phase and eluting or releasing the desired antibodies off the immunogen Immunization of a host animal with a target antigen or a fragment containing the target amino acid sequence conjugated to a protein that is immunogenic in the species to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent, for example maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteine residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysine residues), glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl, or R1N═C═NR, where R and R1 are different alkyl groups, can yield a population of antibodies (e.g., monoclonal antibodies).

If desired, an antibody (monoclonal or polyclonal) of interest (e.g., produced by a hybridoma) may be sequenced and the polynucleotide sequence may then be cloned into a vector for further construction of the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein. The sequence encoding the antibody of interest may be maintained in vector in a host cell and the host cell can then be expanded and frozen for future use.

In an alternative, the polynucleotide sequence may be used for genetic manipulation to “humanize” the antibody or to improve the affinity (affinity maturation), or other characteristics of the antibody. For example, the constant region may be engineered to more resemble human constant regions to avoid immune response if the antibody is used in clinical trials and treatments in humans. It may be desirable to genetically manipulate the antibody sequence to obtain greater affinity to the target antigen and greater efficacy in inhibiting or activating the activity of the immune cell receptor. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that one or more polynucleotide changes can be made to the antibody and still maintain its binding specificity to the target receptor.

In other embodiments, fully human antibodies can be obtained by using commercially available mice that have been engineered to express specific human immunoglobulin proteins. Transgenic animals that are designed to produce a more desirable (e.g., fully human antibodies) or more robust immune response may also be used for generation of humanized or human antibodies. Examples of such technology are Xenomouse® from Amgen, Inc. (Fremont, Calif.) and HuMAb-Mouse® and TC Mouse™ from Medarex, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.). In another alternative, antibodies may be made recombinantly by phage display or yeast technology. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,332; 5,580,717; 5,733,743; and 6,265,150; and Winter et al., (1994) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 12:433-455.

Alternatively, antibody library technology, such as the phage display technology (McCafferty et al., (1990) Nature 348:552-553), yeast display technology, or mammalian cell display technology, can be used to isolated antibodies such as human antibodies specific to a target immune receptor.

Methods for constructing humanized antibodies are also well known in the art. See, e.g., Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86:10029-10033 (1989). In one example, variable regions of V_(H) and V_(L) of a parent non-human antibody are subjected to three-dimensional molecular modeling analysis following methods known in the art. Next, framework amino acid residues predicted to be important for the formation of the correct CDR structures are identified using the same molecular modeling analysis. In parallel, human VH and VL chains having amino acid sequences that are homologous to those of the parent non-human antibody are identified from any antibody gene database using the parent VH and VL sequences as search queries. Human VH and VL acceptor genes are then selected.

The CDR regions within the selected human acceptor genes can be replaced with the CDR regions from the parent non-human antibody or functional variants thereof. When necessary, residues within the framework regions of the parent chain that are predicted to be important in interacting with the CDR regions (see above description) can be used to substitute for the corresponding residues in the human acceptor genes.

Once an antibody capable of binding to a target immune cell receptor is obtained, the coding sequence of its heavy chain can be fused in-frame with the coding sequence of a suitable Fc variant, which may selectively bind FcgRIIB or which does not bind any FcγRs, for example, any of the Fc variants described herein via routine recombinant technology. In some instances, the antibody is first investigated for its agonistic effect to activate the immune cell receptor to which it binds. Such an agonistic antibody can be selected for making the CD40-binding molecules described herein to enhance the agonistic effects.

In other instances, the antibody is first investigated for its antagonistic effect to inhibit the immune cell receptor to which it binds. Such an antagonistic antibody can be selected for making the CD40-binding molecule described herein to down-regulate immune responses. Alternatively, an Fc variant having low or no binding activity to any Fc receptor can be selected for making CD40 antagonists.

The resultant antibody molecules or CD40-binding molecules described herein can be produced via routine recombinant technology as exemplified below. Nucleic acids encoding the heavy and light chain of an antibody or the polypeptide of a CD40-binding molecule as described herein can be cloned into one expression vector, each nucleotide sequence being in operable linkage to a suitable promoter. In one example, each of the nucleotide sequences encoding the heavy chain and light chain is in operable linkage to a distinct prompter. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequences encoding the heavy chain and the light chain can be in operable linkage with a single promoter, such that both heavy and light chains are expressed from the same promoter. When necessary, an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) can be inserted between the heavy chain and light chain encoding sequences.

In some examples, the nucleotide sequences encoding the two chains of the antibody are cloned into two vectors, which can be introduced into the same or different cells. When the two chains are expressed in different cells, each of them can be isolated from the host cells expressing such and the isolated heavy chains and light chains can be mixed and incubated under suitable conditions allowing for the formation of the antibody.

Generally, a nucleic acid sequence encoding one or all chains of an antibody can be cloned into a suitable expression vector in operable linkage with a suitable promoter using methods known in the art. For example, the nucleotide sequence and vector can be contacted, under suitable conditions, with a restriction enzyme to create complementary ends on each molecule that can pair with each other and be joined together with a ligase. Alternatively, synthetic nucleic acid linkers can be ligated to the termini of a gene. These synthetic linkers contain nucleic acid sequences that correspond to a particular restriction site in the vector. The selection of expression vectors/promoter would depend on the type of host cells for use in producing the antibodies.

A variety of promoters can be used for expression of the antibodies described herein, including, but not limited to, cytomegalovirus (CMV) intermediate early promoter, a viral LTR such as the Rous sarcoma virus LTR, HIV-LTR, HTLV-1 LTR, the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, E. coli lac UV5 promoter, and the herpes simplex tk virus promoter.

Regulatable promoters can also be used. Such regulatable promoters include those using the lac repressor from E. coli as a transcription modulator to regulate transcription from lac operator-bearing mammalian cell promoters [Brown, M. et al., Cell, 49:603-612 (1987)], those using the tetracycline repressor (tetR) [Gossen, M., and Bujard, H., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5547-5551 (1992); Yao, F. et al., Human Gene Therapy, 9:1939-1950 (1998); Shockelt, P., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:6522-6526 (1995)]. Other systems include FK506 dimer, VP16 or p65 using astradiol, RU486, diphenol murislerone, or rapamycin. Inducible systems are available from Invitrogen, Clontech and Ariad.

Regulatable promoters that include a repressor with the operon can be used. In one embodiment, the lac repressor from E. coli can function as a transcriptional modulator to regulate transcription from lac operator-bearing mammalian cell promoters [M. Brown et al., Cell, 49:603-612 (1987)]; Gossen and Bujard (1992); [M. Gossen et al., Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5547-5551 (1992)] combined the tetracycline repressor (tetR) with the transcription activator (VP 16) to create a tetR-mammalian cell transcription activator fusion protein, tTa (tetR-VP 16), with the tetO-bearing minimal promoter derived from the human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) major immediate-early promoter to create a tetR-tet operator system to control gene expression in mammalian cells. In one embodiment, a tetracycline inducible switch is used. The tetracycline repressor (tetR) alone, rather than the tetR-mammalian cell transcription factor fusion derivatives can function as potent trans-modulator to regulate gene expression in mammalian cells when the tetracycline operator is properly positioned downstream for the TATA element of the CMVIE promoter (Yao et al., Human Gene Therapy). One particular advantage of this tetracycline inducible switch is that it does not require the use of a tetracycline repressor-mammalian cells transactivator or repressor fusion protein, which in some instances can be toxic to cells (Gossen et al., Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5547-5551 (1992); Shockett et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:6522-6526 (1995)), to achieve its regulatable effects.

Additionally, the vector can contain, for example, some or all of the following: a selectable marker gene, such as the neomycin gene for selection of stable or transient transfectants in mammalian cells; enhancer/promoter sequences from the immediate early gene of human CMV for high levels of transcription; transcription termination and RNA processing signals from SV40 for mRNA stability; SV40 polyoma origins of replication and ColE1 for proper episomal replication; internal ribosome binding sites (IRESes), versatile multiple cloning sites; and T7 and SP6 RNA promoters for in vitro transcription of sense and antisense RNA. Suitable vectors and methods for producing vectors containing transgenes are well known and available in the art.

Examples of polyadenylation signals useful to practice the methods described herein include, but are not limited to, human collagen I polyadenylation signal, human collagen II polyadenylation signal, and SV40 polyadenylation signal.

One or more vectors (e.g., expression vectors) comprising nucleic acids encoding any of the antibodies may be introduced into suitable host cells for producing the antibodies. The host cells can be cultured under suitable conditions for expression of the antibody or any polypeptide chain thereof. Such antibodies or polypeptide chains thereof can be recovered by the cultured cells (e.g., from the cells or the culture supernatant) via a conventional method, e.g., affinity purification. If necessary, polypeptide chains of the antibody can be incubated under suitable conditions for a suitable period of time allowing for production of the antibody.

In some embodiments, methods for preparing an antibody described herein involve a recombinant expression vector that encodes both the heavy chain and the light chain of an antibody as described herein. The recombinant expression vector can be introduced into a suitable host cell (e.g., a dhfr− CHO cell) by a conventional method, e.g., calcium phosphate-mediated transfection. Positive transformant host cells can be selected and cultured under suitable conditions allowing for the expression of the two polypeptide chains that form the antibody, which can be recovered from the cells or from the culture medium. When necessary, the two chains recovered from the host cells can be incubated under suitable conditions allowing for the formation of the antibody.

In one example, two recombinant expression vectors are provided, one encoding the heavy chain of the anti-immune cell receptor antibody and the other encoding the light chain of the same antibody. Both of the two recombinant expression vectors can be introduced into a suitable host cell (e.g., dhfr− CHO cell) by a conventional method, e.g., calcium phosphate-mediated transfection. Alternatively, each of the expression vectors can be introduced into a suitable host cells. Positive transformants can be selected and cultured under suitable conditions allowing for the expression of the polypeptide chains of the antibody. When the two expression vectors are introduced into the same host cells, the antibody produced therein can be recovered from the host cells or from the culture medium. If necessary, the polypeptide chains can be recovered from the host cells or from the culture medium and then incubated under suitable conditions allowing for formation of the antibody. When the two expression vectors are introduced into different host cells, each of them can be recovered from the corresponding host cells or from the corresponding culture media. The two polypeptide chains can then be incubated under suitable conditions for formation of the antibody.

Standard molecular biology techniques are used to prepare the recombinant expression vector, transfect the host cells, select for transformants, culture the host cells and recovery of the antibodies from the culture medium. For example, some antibodies can be isolated by affinity chromatography with a Protein A or Protein G coupled matrix.

The bioactivity of the antibodies described herein can be verified using assays known in the art or described herein.

III. Pharmaceutical Compositions

The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the CD40-binding molecules or any of the anti-CD40 antibodies described herein and uses of such for modulating immune responses triggered by CD40/CD40L signaling. Such CD40-binding molecules as described herein or anti-CD40 antibodies as also described herein can be used for treating diseases such as cancer or immune-related disorders.

The CD40-binding molecules or anti-CD40 antibodies as described herein can be mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (excipient) to form a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating a target disease. “Acceptable” means that the carrier must be compatible with the active ingredient of the composition (and preferably, capable of stabilizing the active ingredient) and not deleterious to the subject to be treated. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients (carriers) including buffers, which are well known in the art. See, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 20th Ed. (2000) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Ed. K. E. Hoover.

The pharmaceutical compositions to be used in the present methods can comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. (Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 20th Ed. (2000) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Ed. K. E. Hoover). Acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations used, and may comprise buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrans; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN™, PLURONICS™ or polyethylene glycol (PEG).

In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition described herein comprises liposomes containing the antibodies (or the encoding nucleic acids) which can be prepared by methods known in the art, such as described in Epstein, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3688 (1985); Hwang, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4030 (1980); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and 4,544,545. Liposomes with enhanced circulation time are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,556. Particularly useful liposomes can be generated by the reverse phase evaporation method with a lipid composition comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and PEG-derivatized phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through filters of defined pore size to yield liposomes with the desired diameter.

The CD40-binding molecules, anti-CD40 antibodies, or the encoding nucleic acid(s), may also be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are known in the art, see, e.g., Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 20th Ed. Mack Publishing (2000).

In other examples, the pharmaceutical composition described herein can be formulated in sustained-release format. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for example, poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)), polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and 7 ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as the LUPRON DEPOT™ (injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), sucrose acetate isobutyrate, and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.

The pharmaceutical compositions to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by, for example, filtration through sterile filtration membranes. Therapeutic antibody compositions are generally placed into a container having a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be in unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, solutions or suspensions, or suppositories, for oral, parenteral or rectal administration, or administration by inhalation or insufflation.

For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient can be mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g., conventional tableting ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate or gums, and other pharmaceutical diluents, e.g., water, to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention, or a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from 0.1 to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. The tablets or pills of the novel composition can be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer that serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol and cellulose acetate.

Suitable surface-active agents include, in particular, non-ionic agents, such as polyoxyethylenesorbitans (e.g., Tween™ 20, 40, 60, 80 or 85) and other sorbitans (e.g., Span™ 20, 40, 60, 80 or 85). Compositions with a surface-active agent will conveniently comprise between 0.05 and 5% surface-active agent, and can be between 0.1 and 2.5%. It will be appreciated that other ingredients may be added, for example mannitol or other pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles, if necessary.

Suitable emulsions may be prepared using commercially available fat emulsions, such as Intralipid™, Liposyn™, Infonutrol™, Lipofundin™ and Lipiphysan™. The active ingredient may be either dissolved in a pre-mixed emulsion composition or alternatively it may be dissolved in an oil (e.g., soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, corn oil or almond oil) and an emulsion formed upon mixing with a phospholipid (e.g., egg phospholipids, soybean phospholipids or soybean lecithin) and water. It will be appreciated that other ingredients may be added, for example glycerol or glucose, to adjust the tonicity of the emulsion. Suitable emulsions will typically contain up to 20% oil, for example, between 5 and 20%. The fat emulsion can comprise fat droplets between 0.1 and 1.0 μm, particularly 0.1 and 0.5 μm, and have a pH in the range of 5.5 to 8.0.

The emulsion compositions can be those prepared by mixing an antibody with Intralipid™ or the components thereof (soybean oil, egg phospholipids, glycerol and water).

Pharmaceutical compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as set out above. In some embodiments, the compositions are administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect.

Compositions in preferably sterile pharmaceutically acceptable solvents may be nebulized by use of gases. Nebulized solutions may be breathed directly from the nebulizing device or the nebulizing device may be attached to a face mask, tent or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine. Solution, suspension or powder compositions may be administered, preferably orally or nasally, from devices which deliver the formulation in an appropriate manner

IV. Therapeutic Applications

Any of the CD40-binding molecules or anti-CD40 antibodies disclosed herein may be used to modulating (e.g., enhancing or inhibiting) immune responses against invading pathogens and/or diseased cells such as cancer cells.

To practice the method disclosed herein, an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition described herein can be administered to a subject (e.g., a human) in need of the treatment via a suitable route, such as intravenous administration, e.g., as a bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerebrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, inhalation or topical routes. Commercially available nebulizers for liquid formulations, including jet nebulizers and ultrasonic nebulizers are useful for administration. Liquid formulations can be directly nebulized and lyophilized powder can be nebulized after reconstitution. Alternatively, the antibodies as described herein can be aerosolized using a fluorocarbon formulation and a metered dose inhaler, or inhaled as a lyophilized and milled powder.

The subject to be treated by the methods described herein can be a mammal, more preferably a human. Mammals include, but are not limited to, farm animals, sport animals, pets, primates, horses, dogs, cats, mice and rats.

In some instances, the subject is a human patient having or at risk for a cell-mediated disease or disorder, such as cancer including but not limited to lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or colorectal cancer. Further exemplary cancers include, but are not limited to, breast cancer; biliary tract cancer; bladder cancer; brain cancer including glioblastomas and medulloblastomas; cervical cancer; choriocarcinoma; colon cancer; endometrial cancer; esophageal cancer; gastric cancer; hematological neoplasms including acute lymphocytic and myelogenous leukemia, e.g., B Cell CLL; T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma; hairy cell leukemia; chronic myelogenous leukemia, multiple myeloma; AIDS-associated leukemias and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma; intraepithelial neoplasms including Bowen's disease and Paget's disease; liver cancer; lung cancer; lymphomas including Hodgkin's disease and lymphocytic lymphomas; neuroblastomas; oral cancer including squamous cell carcinoma; ovarian cancer including those arising from epithelial cells, stromal cells, germ cells and mesenchymal cells; pancreatic cancer; prostate cancer; rectal cancer; sarcomas including leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and osteosarcoma; skin cancer including melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell cancer; testicular cancer including germinal tumors such as seminoma, non-seminoma (teratomas, choriocarcinomas), stromal tumors, and germ cell tumors; thyroid cancer including thyroid adenocarcinoma and medullar carcinoma; and renal cancer including adenocarcinoma and Wilms tumor. A subject having a cancer can be identified by routine medical examination, e.g., laboratory tests, organ functional tests, CT scans, or ultrasounds. In some embodiments, the subject to be treated by the method described herein may be a human cancer patient who has undergone or is subjecting to an anti-cancer therapy, for example, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery.

In other instances, the subject is a human patient having or at risk for an immune-related disorder Immune-related disorders refer to a dysfunction of the immune system, including autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and/or allergies. In one embodiment, the immune-related disorder is an autoimmune disease. Examples of immune-related disorders include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Myasthenia Gravis (MG), Graves' Disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, autoimmune myocarditis, Membrane Glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, Type I or Type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Reynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, gastritis, Celiac Disease, Vitiligo, Hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthropathies, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, immune neutropenia, juvenile onset diabetes, and immune responses associated with delayed hypersensitivity mediated by cytokines, T-lymphocytes typically found in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and polymyositis, polyarteritis, cutaneous vasculitis, pemphigus, pemphigold, Goodpasture's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, systemic sclerosis, anti-phospholipid syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, graft-versus-host (GVH) disease, and immune thrombocytopenia. A subject having an immune-related disorder can be identified by routine medical examination, e.g., with laboratory tests. In some embodiments, the subject to be treated by the method described herein may be a human subject with an immune-related disorder who has undergone or is subjecting to an immune-related disorder treatment, for example, immunosuppressive mediation, hormone replacement therapy, blood transfusions, anti-inflammatory medication, and/or pain medication.

As used herein, “an effective amount” refers to the amount of each active agent required to confer therapeutic effect on the subject, either alone or in combination with one or more other active agents. In some embodiments, the therapeutic effect is modulating (e.g., activating) the target immune receptor, thereby triggering or enhancing immune responses mediated by the receptor. Determination of whether an amount of the antibody achieved the therapeutic effect would be evident to one of skill in the art. Effective amounts vary, as recognized by those skilled in the art, depending on the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition, the individual patient parameters including age, physical condition, size, gender and weight, the duration of the treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), the specific route of administration and like factors within the knowledge and expertise of the health practitioner. These factors are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and can be addressed with no more than routine experimentation. It is generally preferred that a maximum dose of the individual components or combinations thereof be used, that is, the highest safe dose according to sound medical judgment.

Empirical considerations, such as the half-life, generally will contribute to the determination of the dosage. For example, molecules that are compatible with the human immune system, such as humanized antibodies or fully human antibodies, may be used to prolong half-life of the antibody and to prevent the antibody being attacked by the host's immune system. Frequency of administration may be determined and adjusted over the course of therapy, and is generally, but not necessarily, based on treatment and/or suppression and/or amelioration and/or delay of a target disease/disorder. Alternatively, sustained continuous release formulations of an antibody may be appropriate. Various formulations and devices for achieving sustained release are known in the art.

In one example, dosages for a CD40-binding molecule or an anti-CD40 antibody as described herein may be determined empirically in individuals who have been given one or more administration(s) of the antibody. Individuals are given incremental dosages of the agonist. To assess efficacy of the agonist, an indicator of the disease/disorder can be followed.

Generally, for administration of any of the therapeutic agents such as the CD40-binding molecule or an anti-CD40 antibody described herein, an initial candidate dosage can be about 2 mg/kg. For the purpose of the present disclosure, a typical daily dosage might range from about any of 0.1 μg/kg to 3 μg/kg to 30 μg/kg to 300 μg/kg to 3 mg/kg, to 30 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeated administrations over several days or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment is sustained until a desired suppression of symptoms occurs or until sufficient therapeutic levels are achieved to alleviate a target disease or disorder, or a symptom thereof. An exemplary dosing regimen comprises administering an initial dose of about 2 mg/kg, followed by a weekly maintenance dose of about 1 mg/kg of the antibody, or followed by a maintenance dose of about 1 mg/kg every other week. However, other dosage regimens may be useful, depending on the pattern of pharmacokinetic decay that the practitioner wishes to achieve. For example, dosing from one-four times a week is contemplated. In some embodiments, dosing ranging from about 3 μg/mg to about 2 mg/kg (such as about 3 μg/mg, about 10 μg/mg, about 30 μg/mg, about 100 μg/mg, about 300 μg/mg, about 1 mg/kg, and about 2 mg/kg) may be used. In some embodiments, dosing frequency is once every week, every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks, every 5 weeks, every 6 weeks, every 7 weeks, every 8 weeks, every 9 weeks, or every 10 weeks; or once every month, every 2 months, or every 3 months, or longer. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays. The dosing regimen (including the therapeutic used) can vary over time.

In some embodiments, for an adult patient of normal weight, doses ranging from about 0.3 to 5.00 mg/kg may be administered. In some examples, the dosage of the therapeutic agents such as antibodies described herein can be 10 mg/kg. The particular dosage regimen, i.e., dose, timing and repetition, will depend on the particular individual and that individual's medical history, as well as the properties of the individual agents (such as the half-life of the agent, and other considerations well known in the art).

For the purpose of the present disclosure, the appropriate dosage of a CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody as described herein will depend on the specific antibody, antibodies, and/or non-antibody peptide (or compositions thereof) employed, the type and severity of the disease/disorder, whether the CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the agonist, and the discretion of the attending physician. Typically the clinician will administer a CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody, until a dosage is reached that achieves the desired result. In some embodiments, the desired result is a decrease in thrombosis. Methods of determining whether a dosage resulted in the desired result would be evident to one of skill in the art. Administration of one or more CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody can be continuous or intermittent, depending, for example, upon the recipient's physiological condition, whether the purpose of the administration is therapeutic or prophylactic, and other factors known to skilled practitioners. The administration of a CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody may be essentially continuous over a preselected period of time or may be in a series of spaced dose, e.g., either before, during, or after developing a target disease or disorder.

As used herein, the term “treating” refers to the application or administration of a composition including one or more active agents to a subject, who has a target disease or disorder, a symptom of the disease/disorder, or a predisposition toward the disease/disorder, with the purpose to cure, heal, alleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, improve, or affect the disorder, the symptom of the disease, or the predisposition toward the disease or disorder.

Alleviating a target disease/disorder includes delaying the development or progression of the disease, or reducing disease severity. Alleviating the disease does not necessarily require curative results. As used therein, “delaying” the development of a target disease or disorder means to defer, hinder, slow, retard, stabilize, and/or postpone progression of the disease. This delay can be of varying lengths of time, depending on the history of the disease and/or individuals being treated. A method that “delays” or alleviates the development of a disease, or delays the onset of the disease, is a method that reduces probability of developing one or more symptoms of the disease in a given time frame and/or reduces extent of the symptoms in a given time frame, when compared to not using the method. Such comparisons are typically based on clinical studies, using a number of subjects sufficient to give a statistically significant result.

“Development” or “progression” of a disease means initial manifestations and/or ensuing progression of the disease. Development of the disease can be detectable and assessed using standard clinical techniques as well known in the art. However, development also refers to progression that may be undetectable. For purpose of this disclosure, development or progression refers to the biological course of the symptoms. “Development” includes occurrence, recurrence, and onset. As used herein “onset” or “occurrence” of a target disease or disorder includes initial onset and/or recurrence.

In some embodiments, the antibodies described herein are administered to a subject in need of the treatment at an amount sufficient to activate the activity of the target receptor by at least 20% (e.g., 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or greater) in vivo.

Conventional methods, known to those of ordinary skill in the art of medicine, can be used to administer the pharmaceutical composition to the subject, depending upon the type of disease to be treated or the site of the disease. This composition can also be administered via other conventional routes, e.g., administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir. The term “parenteral” as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraarterial, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional, and intracranial injection or infusion techniques. In addition, it can be administered to the subject via injectable depot routes of administration such as using 1-, 3-, or 6-month depot injectable or biodegradable materials and methods. In some examples, the pharmaceutical composition is administered intraocularly or intravitreally.

Injectable compositions may contain various carriers such as vegetable oils, dimethylactamide, dimethyformamide, ethyl lactate, ethyl carbonate, isopropyl myristate, ethanol, and polyols (glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like). For intravenous injection, water soluble antibodies can be administered by the drip method, whereby a pharmaceutical formulation containing the antibody and a physiologically acceptable excipient is infused. Physiologically acceptable excipients may include, for example, 5% dextrose, 0.9% saline, Ringer's solution or other suitable excipients. Intramuscular preparations, e.g., a sterile formulation of a suitable soluble salt form of the antibody, can be dissolved and administered in a pharmaceutical excipient such as Water-for-Injection, 0.9% saline, or 5% glucose solution.

The particular dosage regimen, i.e., dose, timing and repetition, used in the method described herein will depend on the particular subject and that subject's medical history.

In some embodiments, more than one antibody, or a combination of an antibody and another suitable therapeutic agent, may be administered to a subject in need of the treatment. The CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody can also be used in conjunction with other agents that serve to enhance and/or complement the effectiveness of the agents.

Treatment efficacy for a target disease/disorder can be assessed by methods well-known in the art.

The therapeutic agent described herein may be utilized in conjunction with other types of therapy for the target disease such as cancer. Additional anti-cancer therapy includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, gene therapy, and so forth. When a second therapeutic agent is used, such an agent can be administered simultaneously or sequentially (in any order) with the CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody described herein.

When co-administered with an additional therapeutic agent, suitable therapeutically effective dosages for each agent may be lowered due to the additive action or synergy.

The treatments of the disclosure can be combined with other immunomodulatory treatments such as, e.g., therapeutic vaccines (including but not limited to GVAX, DC-based vaccines, etc.), or checkpoint inhibitors (including but not limited to agents that block CTLA4, PD1, LAG3, TIM3, etc.). Alternatively, the treatment of the present disclosure can be combined with a chemotherapeutic agent, for example, pyrimidine analogs (5-fluorouracil, floxuridine, capecitabine, gemcitabine and cytarabine), purine analogs, folate antagonists and related inhibitors (mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pentostatin and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (cladribine)); antiproliferative/antimitotic agents including natural products such as vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine), microtubule disruptors such as taxane (paclitaxel, docetaxel), vincristin, vinblastin, nocodazole, epothilones and navelbine, epidipodophyllotoxins (etoposide, teniposide), DNA damaging agents (actinomycin, amsacrine, anthracyclines, bleomycin, busulfan, camptothecin, carboplatin, chlorambucil, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, cytoxan, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, hexamethyhnelamineoxaliplatin, iphosphamide, melphalan, merchlorehtamine, mitomycin, mitoxantrone, nitrosourea, plicamycin, procarbazine, taxol, taxotere, teniposide, triethylenethiophosphoramide and etoposide (VP16)); antibiotics such as dactinomycin (actinomycin D), daunorubicin, doxorubicin (adriamycin), idarubicin, anthracyclines, mitoxantrone, bleomycins, plicamycin (mithramycin) and mitomycin; enzymes (L-asparaginase which systemically metabolizes L-asparagine and deprives cells which do not have the capacity to synthesize their own asparagine); antiplatelet agents; antiproliferative/antimitotic alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards (mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide and analogs, melphalan, chlorambucil), ethylenimines and methylmelamines (hexamethylmelamine and thiotepa), alkyl sulfonates-busulfan, nitrosoureas (carmustine (BCNU) and analogs, streptozocin), trazenes-dacarbazinine (DTIC); antiproliferative/antimitotic antimetabolites such as folic acid analogs (methotrexate); platinum coordination complexes (cisplatin, carboplatin), procarbazine, hydroxyurea, mitotane, aminoglutethimide; hormones, hormone analogs (estrogen, tamoxifen, goserelin, bicalutamide, nilutamide) and aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole); anticoagulants (heparin, synthetic heparin salts and other inhibitors of thrombin); fibrinolytic agents (such as tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase and urokinase), aspirin, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, abciximab; antimigratory agents; antisecretory agents (breveldin); immunosuppressives (cyclosporine, tacrolimus (FK-506), sirolimus (rapamycin), azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil); anti-angiogenic compounds (e.g., TNP-470, genistein, bevacizumab) and growth factor inhibitors (e.g., fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inhibitors); angiotensin receptor blocker; nitric oxide donors; anti-sense oligonucleotides; antibodies (trastuzumab); cell cycle inhibitors and differentiation inducers (tretinoin); mTOR inhibitors, topoisomerase inhibitors (doxorubicin (adriamycin), amsacrine, camptothecin, daunorubicin, dactinomycin, eniposide, epirubicin, etoposide, idarubicin and mitoxantrone, topotecan, irinotecan), corticosteroids (cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylpednisolone, prednisone, and prenisolone); growth factor signal transduction kinase inhibitors; mitochondrial dysfunction inducers and caspase activators; and chromatin disruptors.

For examples of additional useful agents see also Physician's Desk Reference, 59.sup.th edition, (2005), Thomson P D R, Montvale N.J.; Gennaro et al., Eds. Remington's The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 20.sup.th edition, (2000), Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore Md.; Braunwald et al., Eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15.sup.th edition, (2001), McGraw Hill, NY; Berkow et al., Eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, (1992), Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway N.J.

V. Kits

The present disclosure also provides kits for use in enhancing the desired immune responses using any of the CD40-binding molecule or anti-CD40 antibody described herein.

In some embodiments, the kit can comprise instructions for use in accordance with any of the methods described herein. The included instructions can comprise a description of administration of the therapeutic agent to treat, delay the onset, or alleviate a target disease as those described herein. The kit may further comprise a description of selecting an individual suitable for treatment based on identifying whether that individual has the target disease. In still other embodiments, the instructions comprise a description of administering a therapeutic agent such as an antibody to an individual at risk of the target disease.

The instructions relating to the use of the therapeutic agent generally include information as to dosage, dosing schedule, and route of administration for the intended treatment. The containers may be unit doses, bulk packages (e.g., multi-dose packages) or sub-unit doses. Instructions supplied in the kits of the invention are typically written instructions on a label or package insert (e.g., a paper sheet included in the kit), but machine-readable instructions (e.g., instructions carried on a magnetic or optical storage disk) are also acceptable.

The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating, delaying the onset and/or alleviating a target disease or disorder such as cancer. Instructions may be provided for practicing any of the methods described herein.

The kits of this invention are in suitable packaging. Suitable packaging includes, but is not limited to, vials, bottles, jars, flexible packaging (e.g., sealed Mylar or plastic bags), and the like. Also contemplated are packages for use in combination with a specific device, such as an inhaler, nasal administration device (e.g., an atomizer) or an infusion device such as a minipump. A kit may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). The container may also have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is the therapeutic agent as those described herein.

Kits may optionally provide additional components such as buffers and interpretive information. Normally, the kit comprises a container and a label or package insert(s) on or associated with the container. In some embodiments, the invention provides articles of manufacture comprising contents of the kits described above.

General Techniques

The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such as, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, second edition (Sambrook, et al., 1989) Cold Spring Harbor Press; Oligonucleotide Synthesis (M. J. Gait, ed., 1984); Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press; Cell Biology: A Laboratory Notebook (J. E. Cellis, ed., 1998) Academic Press; Animal Cell Culture (R. I. Freshney, ed., 1987); Introduction to Cell and Tissue Culture (J. P. Mather and P. E. Roberts, 1998) Plenum Press; Cell and Tissue Culture: Laboratory Procedures (A. Doyle, J. B. Griffiths, and D. G. Newell, eds., 1993-8) J. Wiley and Sons; Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.); Handbook of Experimental Immunology (D. M. Weir and C. C. Blackwell, eds.); Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J. M. Miller and M. P. Calos, eds., 1987); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (F. M. Ausubel, et al., eds., 1987); PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction, (Mullis, et al., eds., 1994); Current Protocols in Immunology (J. E. Coligan et al., eds., 1991); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology (Wiley and Sons, 1999); Immunobiology (C. A. Janeway and P. Travers, 1997); Antibodies (P. Finch, 1997); Antibodies: a practical approach (D. Catty., ed., IRL Press, 1988-1989); Monoclonal antibodies: a practical approach (P. Shepherd and C. Dean, eds., Oxford University Press, 2000); Using antibodies: a laboratory manual (E. Harlow and D. Lane (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1999); The Antibodies (M. Zanetti and J. D. Capra, eds., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1995).

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the above description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference for the purposes or subject matter referenced herein.

Example 1. Anti-CD40 Antibodies with Engineered Fc Regions

The cDNA sequences encoding the anti-CD40 antibody variable domain with various heavy chain CH1 and Fc region or human kappa light chain constant region were synthesized and cloned. CHO transient expression was carried out with plasmids containing the corresponding heavy and light chain sequences. These antibodies were purified by protein A affinity chromatography. The amino acid sequences of the heavy chain (HC) and the light chain (LC) are provided below:

383-huIgG LC (SEQ ID NO: 146) DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCRASQGIYSWLAWYQQKPGKAPNLLIYTASTLQSGVPSRFSGSGSG TDFILTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQANIFPLTEGGGIKVEIKRIVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLL NNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSP VIKSENRGEC 383-huIgG1m2 HC (SEQ ID NO: 147) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVV DVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPI EKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKLIVDKSRWQQGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m27 HC (SEQ ID NO: 148) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVV DVEHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPI EKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m1 HC (SEQ ID NO: 149) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSNFGT QTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHE DPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTIS KTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFF LYSKLIVDKSRWQQGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK  383-huIgG2m19 HC (SEQ ID NO: 150) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSNFGT QTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVASVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVEHE DPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGFPAPIEKTIS KTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFF LYSKLIVDKSRWQQGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m20 HC (SEQ ID NO: 151) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSNFGT QTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTI SKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSF FLYSKLIVDKSRWQQGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG4m2 HC (SEQ ID NO: 152) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT KTYTCNVDHKPSNIKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGPSVFLEPPKPKDILMISRIPEVICVVVDVS QEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKT ISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGS FFLYSRLIVDKSRWQEGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m20 HC (SEQ ID NO: 153) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT KTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQ EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTI SKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSF FLYSRLIVDKSRWQEGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m30 HC (SEQ ID NO: 154) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT KTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQ EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTI SKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSF FLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-msIgG LC (SEQ ID NO: 155) DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCRASQGIYSWLAWYQQKPGKAPNLLIYTASTLQSGVPSRFSGSGSG TDFILTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQANIFPLTEGGGIKVEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSSEQLTSGGASVVCFL NNFYPKDINVKWKIDGSERQNGVLNSWTDQDSKDSTYSMSSTLTLTKDEYERHNSYTCEATHKTSTSP IVKSENRNEC 383-msIgG1 DANA HC (SEQ ID NO: 156) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTTPPSVYP LAPGSAAQTNSMVTLGCLVKGYFPEPVTVTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVPSSTWPSE TVTCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPKPKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVAISKD DPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREEQFASTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLNGKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTIS KTKGRPKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSLTCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAENYKNTQPIMDTDGSYF VYSKLNVQKSNWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTEKSLSHSPGK 383-msIgG1 HC (SEQ ID NO: 157) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTTPPSVYP LAPGSAAQTNSMVTLGCLVKGYFPEPVTVTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVPSSTWPSE TVTCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIVPRDCGCKPCICTVPEVSSVFIFPPKPKDVLTITLTPKVTCVVVDISKD DPEVQFSWFVDDVEVHTAQTQPREEQFNSTFRSVSELPIMHQDWLNGKEFKCRVNSAAFPAPIEKTIS KTKGRPKAPQVYTIPPPKEQMAKDKVSLTCMITDFFPEDITVEWQWNGQPAENYKNTQPIMDTDGSYF VYSKLNVQKSNWEAGNTFTCSVLHEGLHNHHTEKSLSHSPGK 383-msIgG2a DANA HC (SEQ ID NO: 158) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTTAPSVYP LAPVCGDTTGSSVTLGCLVKGYFPEPVTLTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVTSSTWPSQ SITCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPIVTCVV VAVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTAQTQTHREDYASTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAP IERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMIKKQVILICMVIDEMPEDIYVEWINNGKTELNYKNTEPVLD SDGSYFMYSKLRVEKKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTIKSFSRITGK 383-msIgG2a HC (SEQ ID NO: 159) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTTAPSVYP LAPVCGDTTGSSVTLGCLVKGYFPEPVTLTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVTSSTWPSQ SITCNVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPIVTCVV VDVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTAQTQTHREDYNSTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAP IERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMIKKQVILICMVIDEMPEDIYVEWINNGKTELNYKNTEPVLD SDGSYFMYSKLRVEKKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTIKSFSRITGK Additional Fc mutants were made and the amino acid sequences of the heavy chain (HC) are provided below (the light chain (LC) sequence is provided above): 383-huIgG1 HC (SEQ ID NO: 207) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVV VDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAP IEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLIVDKSRWQQGNVESCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2 HC (SEQ ID NO: 208) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSNFGT QTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVICVVVDVS HEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKT ISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGS FFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG4SP HC (SEQ ID NO: 209) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT KTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVICVVVDV SQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEK TISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDG SFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG1mAA (SEQ ID NO: 210) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVV VDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAP IEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m40 HC (SEQ ID NO: 193) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVV VaVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYaSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAP IEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m45 HC (SEQ ID NO: 194) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPpvaGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHE DPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIg G1m240 HC (SEQ ID NO: 195) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHE DPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1 N297A (SEQ ID NO: 196) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYaSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQP REPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQ QGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m47 HC (SEQ ID NO: 197) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPpvaGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHE DPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKgLPssIEKTISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m48 HC (SEQ ID NO: 198) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSsDKTHTsPPsPAPELLGGsSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQP REPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQ QGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m49 HC (SEQ ID NO: 199) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTsPPsPAPpvaGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQP REPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQ QGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1m50 HC (SEQ ID NO: 214) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEfeGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAsIEKTISKAKGQP REPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQ QGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG1mAAG (SEQ ID NO: 211) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVV VDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALGAP IEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m40 HC (SEQ ID NO: 200) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFASTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m43 HC (SEQ ID NO: 201) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPaaasSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSaEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTV1HQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPssIEKTISKTKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m44 HC (SEQ ID NO: 202) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSqEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTV1HQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPssIEKTISKTKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2mAA HC (SEQ ID NO: 203) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPaaaPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2m2040 HC (SEQ ID NO: 204) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSHEDPEV QFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFASTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQV YTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVF SCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 383-huIgG2G4 HC (SEQ ID NO: 205) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPE VQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNV FSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m40 HC (SEQ ID NO: 206) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDP EVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGN VFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m41 HC (SEQ ID NO: 66) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDP EVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQEGN VFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m42 HC (SEQ ID NO: 67) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVAVSQEDP EVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGN VFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4m46 HC (SEQ ID NO: 68) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEaLGaPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDP EVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKaYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGN VFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4mPE HC (SEQ ID NO: 212) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT KTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEFEGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVICVVVDV SQEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEK TISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDG SFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK 383-huIgG4mAA HC (SEQ ID NO: 69) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINPDSGGTNYAQKFQGRV TMTRDTSISTAYMELNRLRSDDTAVYYCARDQPLGYCTNGVCSYFDYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFP LAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYGPPCPPCPAPEaaGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDP EVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGN VFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK

Example 2. Determination of Binding Activity of CD40 Antibody with Fc Mutants to Cellular FcγR

To determine the binding activity of CD40 activity in IgG mutants to cellular Fc receptors, CHO cells were genetically engineered to express human FcγRs (FcγRI, FcγRIIA, FcγRIIB, and FcγRIII) using a lentivirus delivery system as known in the art.

Using anti-CD40 antibody 383 disclosed herein as an exemplary anti-CD40 moiety, a number of anti-CD40 IgG Fc mutants, including 383-msIgG1, 383-msIgG1 DANA, 383-msIgG2a, 383-msIgG2a DANA, 383-hIgG2, control huIgG1, 383-huIgG1m27, 383-huIgG2m19, 383-huIgG1m2, 383-huIgG2m1, 383-huIgG2m20, 383-huIgG4m2, 383-huIgG4m20, 383-huIgG4m30, 383-huIgG1mAA, and 383-huIgG4SP (amino acid sequences provided above), were designed and constructed following the disclosures herein. These IgG mutants contain mutations in the upper hinge domain, the lower hinge domain, or within the CH2 domain.

For FACS analysis of the IgG mutants' binding to different FcγRs, FcγR overexpressing CHO cells were harvested using trypsin-EDTA and were suspended in cold staining buffer (3% BSA in PBS). Test IgG mutants, which were diluted in staining buffer, were added into the cells. The mixture was incubated at 4° C. for 2 hours, and then washed twice with cold staining buffer and re-suspended in PE-labeled anti-human IgG followed by incubation at 4° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was washed twice with staining buffer and re-suspended in 2% PFA in PBS for FACS.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 3A-3D, a number of anti-CD40 human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 mutants showed binding activity to FcγRs expressed on the cell surface, whereas others exhibited no apparent finding to the FcγRs examined Summary of the binding property changes is listed in Tables 2-4 above.

Example 3. CD40 Antibodies Having Engineered Fc Regions Showed Differential CD40 Agonist Activity

To determine the agonist activity of the IgG mutants, a CD40 reporter assay was developed, which involves reporter cells over-expressing human CD40 T cells. This GS-H2-huCD40 reporter cells were re-suspended in assay buffer and cell density and viability were determined with trypan blue. The cell suspension was diluted to 1×10⁴ cells/mL with assay buffer (MEM containing 1% FBS). The cells were added at 100 uL/well, such that the final cell number was 1000 cells/well in the assay plate (Nunc, Cat #167425). Serial working dilutions of the test samples were prepared in assay buffer at 2× final concentrations. Samples were added at 100 uL/well test sample at 2× final concentrations to the assay plate. The assay plate was incubated in 37° C., 5% CO₂ incubator for 18-20 hours. After the 18-20 hour incubation, 8 ul of the supernatant from each well of the assay plate was collected and added to HTRF detection assay plate (Nunc). A Human Interleukin 8 (reporter of CD40 activation) detection assay was performed using a Human IL-8 Assay Kit (Cisbio, Cat #62IL8PEB). In particular, 16 ul assay volume was used. The results were read using Time Resolved Fluorescence by Tecan F200pro and the relative light unit data was recorded.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4A-4E, all of the tested anti-CD40 antibody IgG mutants stimulated human CD40 activation as evidenced by the secretion of IL8. The magnitude of CD40 activation was influenced by the Fc variants contained therein due to the hinge flexibility of each antibody isotype structure.

CD40 reporter assay was also performed in coculture with FcγRIIB-expressing CHO cells and the results are shown in FIGS. 4A-4D. Binding to CD40 and FcγR2B by the tested antibody molecules simultaneously in a microenvironment would affect individual binding due to the avidity effect, which refers to the accumulated strength of multiple affinities of individual non-covalent binding interactions. The antibodies showed increased activity correlating to their binding activity to FcγRIIB. It was noted that antibodies with Fc variants with weak or no apparent binding to FcγRIIB exhibited enhanced agonist activity in co-culture reporter assay, suggesting higher sensitivity of the reporter assay which may be attributable to the avidity effect. Therefore, the Fc structure of the antibody can affect the agonist activity of the antibodies with the same variable domains.

Example 4. Characterization of Anti-CD40 Antibody IgG Mutants in Dendritic Cell (DC) Function Assays

The exemplary anti-CD40 antibody Ig variants comprising various Fc mutants were tested in vitro for CD40 binding activities and agonistic activity as described in Examples above, as well as in vivo for antitumor efficacy and toxicity as in Example 6. Their activities in activating human dendritic cells were carried out as following.

Frozen human PBMC from healthy donors (Allcells, Cat #PB005F) were thawed and transferred to a 50 ml tube with 25 mL RPMI1640 media. EasySep™ Human CD14 Positive Selection Kit II (Stemcell, Cat: 17858) were used to isolate B cells. Centrifuge the PBMC suspension for 15 min at 250 g, and discard the supernatant and resuspend the cells in 1.5 mL EasySep™ Buffer. Add Selection Cocktail to sample to a 14 mL (17×100 mm) polystyrene round-bottom tube. 100 ul/ml, 150 ul for each sample. Transfer the cell from 50 ml tube to the 14 mL (17×100 mm) polystyrene round-bottom tube, mix and incubate for 15 min at RT. Mix the Magnetic Particles before transfer to sample. Transfer Magnetic Particles to sample. 50 ul/ml, 75 ul for each sample. Mix and incubate for 10 mins at RT. Add 8.5 ml EasySep™ Buffer to top up the sample to 10 mL. Mix by gently pipetting up and down 2-3 times. Place the tube into the magnet and incubate for 5 min Pick up the magnet, and in one continuous motion invert the magnet and tube, pouring off the supernatant. Collect the supernatant for B cell Enrichment. Repeat the above wash steps for another 2 times. Resuspend cells in 5 mL RPMI 1640. Count the cell density.

The isolated CD14⁺ cells from human PBMCs were adjust to 1×10⁶ cell/ml and add GM-CSF and IL-4 were added into the cell culture media. Incubate the cells in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator for 3 days. On day 3, the culture media were changed by transferring the culture supernatant to a centrifuge tube and then centrifuged at 250×g for 5 minutes. 10 ml fresh media containing GN-CSF and IL-4 were used to suspend the cell pellet in the centrifuge tube and then added to the flask during the centrifugation so that the cell pellet thus formed would be resuspended in the 10 ml fresh media. The resuspended cells were added back to the same well or flask and incubated for an additional 2 days. On day 5, the above steps were repeated for media change. The cells were further incubated for another additional 2 days. On day 7, immature dendritic cells can be observed and are ready to be used in the desired application.

To perform DC Activation Assay, take medium with cells out of the T75-flask into a 50 ml tubes and centrifuge at 500×g for 5 min at RT. The supernatant was discarded and the cells were and re-suspend in 3 mL RPMI1640 10% FBS medium. Count the cell density and adjust the cell density to 1e6/mL. 0.05 mL of the cell suspension were added to a 96 well plate, 2.5×10⁴ cells/well. IL-8 and IL12 P70 were detected with the HuIL-12-P70 detection kit (Cisbio, Cat #: 62HIL12PEH) and HuIL-8 detection kit (Cisbio, Cat #: 62HIL08PEH) in the cell culture supernatant 24 h later (day 3). The DC activation assay was also performed in co-culture with FcγR2B expressing CHO cells.

As shown FIGS. 5A-5D, the tested CD40 antibody IgG mutants stimulated human CD40 activation at various degrees as evidenced by the secretion of IL8 from the DC culture after antibody incubation. The magnitude of DC activation was influenced by Fc variants contained therein due to the hinge flexibility of each antibody isotype structure and interaction with Fc receptors expressed by the DC culture.

To ascertain the effect of Fc-FcγRIIB cross-linking for CD40 activation, DC activation was also performed in coculture with FcγR2B expressing CHO cells. Binding to CD40 and FcγRIIB by antibody molecules simultaneously in a microenvironment would affect individual binding due to avidity effect leading to alteration of CD40 agonistic effect of the antibodies. The antibodies showed increased activity correlating to their binding activity to FcγRIIB, consistent to the observation in the reporter assay described above. Therefore, the Fc structure of the antibody would affect the overall agonist activity of the antibodies with the same variable domains.

Example 5. CD40 Antibody in IgG Mutants Exhibit Similar Binding to Cellular CD40

FACS were used to evaluate the binding properties of exemplary anti-CD40 antibody IgG variants. CHO cells over-expressing human CD40 or cynomolgus monkey CD40 were harvested using trypsin-EDTA partial digestion followed by centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 5 minutes. The cells were resuspended in cold PBS-BSA (2%) at 5×10⁶/ml and aliquoted out to 100 ul/tube. The chimeric anti-CD40 antibodies were diluted in PBS-BSA in three times (final concentrations were 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ug/ml) and 50 ul of each concentration was added to the CHO-CD40 cells. The cell solutions were mixed and incubated at 4° C. in the dark for 2 hours. The cells were then washed with PBS-BSA twice. Secondary antibody conjugates (goat F(ab′)2 anti-human IgG-Fc (PE), pre-adsorbed (Abcam #ab98596)) at a concentration of 100 ul/vial was added and the cells were mixed and incubated 4° C. in dark for 1 hour. The cells were then washed twice with PBS-BSA, followed by fixation in 2% PFA in PBS, and were then subjected to FACS analysis with FACScaliber. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, these antibodies exhibited high binding activity to human CD40 expressed on the surface of CHO cells.

Example 6. CD40 Antibody in IgG Mutants Exhibit Differential Anti-Tumor Activity in Animal Models In Vivo

Exemplary anti-CD40 antibodies with various Fc mutants were tested in mouse syngeneic tumor models in vivo to determine how Fc mutants could affect the efficacy and toxicity of these antibodies. C57BL6 mice with human CD40 extracellular domains knock in were used to develop syngeneic mouse tumor models. Murine colon cancer MC38 cells were subcutaneously implanted into homozygous human CD40 knock-in C57BL6 mice on day 0. Mice were grouped when the tumor size was approximately 150±50 mm³ (n=6). CD40 antibodies were administered by intraperitoneal injections and tumor sizes were measure during 4-6 weeks of antibody treatment. Tumor sizes were measured by caliber 2 times a week and calculated as tumor volume using formula of 0.5×length×width². Anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated between tumor sizes of the control group and antibody treatment group.

As shown in FIG. 7A, murine IgG2aDANA (Fc null) provided a reference efficacy driven by Fab′2-induced CD40 activation. Human G4m2, G1m2, G2m20 and G2m40 showed efficacy superior or comparable to mIgG2aDANA.

The potential of antibody induced liver toxicity was examined in the mouse model by measuring serum ALT level after antibody treatment. Human G2 showed a very large ALT elevation with its value exceeded upper limit of the assay (>1000 U/L). The efficacious Fc mutants including G1m2, G2m20 and G2m40 showed less or minimal ALT elevation.

As examples, 383-G2m20 and -G2m40 showed higher agonist activity in the absence of cross-linking and showed in vivo efficacy with FcγR interaction (G2m40 is FcγR null in both binding and DC activation assays). Further, residual FcgRIIB binding activity of G2m20 enhanced efficacy. Fc variants G2m1 and G2m43 are expected to have similar efficacy but improved toxicity window given their similar in vitro activity profiles to those of G2m20 and G2m40.

As another example, 383-G1m2 showed reduced agonist activity in the absence of cross-linking. The residual FcgRIIB binding activity in vivo potentiated the in vivo agonist activity of this IgG variant but minimally on liver toxicity. Fc variants G1mAA, G1 N279A, G4m20, G4m30 and G4m46 are expected to have similar efficacy and toxicity window given their similar in vitro activity profiles to that of G1m2.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

From the above description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, other embodiments are also within the claims.

EQUIVALENTS

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

All references, patents and patent applications disclosed herein are incorporated by reference with respect to the subject matter for which each is cited, which in some cases may encompass the entirety of the document.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-CD40 antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:147, and the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:146.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising the anti-CD40 antibody of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 3. A method for modulating an immune response in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 2. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the subject is a human patient having or suspected of having cancer.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered by intravenous infusion.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunomodulatory agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a combination thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the immunomodulatory agent is a therapeutic vaccine, or a checkpoint inhibitor.
 8. The method of claim 3, further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a checkpoint inhibitor, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a combination thereof.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the checkpoint inhibitor is a PD1 inhibitor.
 10. The method of claim 3, wherein the subject is a human patient having a cancer selected from the group consisting of lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, sarcoma, bone cancer, lymphoma and a hematological cancer.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the subject is a human patient having colorectal cancer. 